Women undergoing IVF or ICSI who have higher levels of certain long-chain PFAS chemicals in their bodies tend to have fewer eggs collected and lower-quality embryos, compared to those with lower...

Pro

Against

Mechanism

Synthesis from 1 study

How it works

These chemicals build up in the ovaries and block the production of hormones that help eggs mature. Without enough of these hormones, fewer eggs develop properly, and the ones that do are less likely to become healthy embryos.

Most probable mechanism

In Simple Terms

Chemicals called PFAS build up in the ovaries and interfere with the production of hormones needed for egg development, which leads to fewer mature eggs and poorer-quality embryos.

Causal chain

Long-chain PFAS accumulate in ovarian follicular fluid due to their lipophilic nature and resistance to metabolic breakdown

Supported by evidence

which leads to

PFAS bind to and inhibit key enzymes in the steroidogenesis pathway, including aromatase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, reducing estrogen synthesis

Indirect evidence only

which leads to

Reduced estrogen levels impair granulosa cell function and disrupt the signaling required for oocyte maturation and follicular growth

Indirect evidence only

which leads to

Compromised follicular development results in fewer oocytes reaching metaphase II and reduced cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation, lowering embryo quality

Indirect evidence only

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Community contributions welcome

Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and reproductive outcomes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2026 Jan

Contradicting (0)

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and reproductive outcomes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment.

Score: 46

DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2025.109107

Similar Assertions

Women undergoing IVF or ICSI who have higher levels of PFOA in their blood are less likely to achieve pregnancy, possibly because PFOA interferes with the processes involved in embryo implantation or early placental formation.

81%

If women have higher levels of certain chemicals called PFAS in their blood and ovarian fluid, they may have a harder time getting pregnant through IVF — including fewer eggs, lower-quality embryos, and fewer live births — even when accounting for age, weight, and hormone levels.

80%

Women undergoing IVF or ICSI who have higher levels of the chemical PFHxS in their blood tend to produce fewer high-quality embryos, according to observed data.

79%

Women undergoing IVF or ICSI who are exposed to multiple PFAS chemicals tend to have fewer eggs collected, fewer mature eggs, and fewer high-quality embryos compared to those with lower exposure.

76%

Some 'safer' types of forever chemicals, like PFHpA, might make it harder for women to get pregnant each month — every higher level of these chemicals in the body is linked to an 8% lower chance of conceiving.

72%