Air Pollution Affects Life Even Before Conception; Study Says It Cuts IVF Odds

The researchers noted that the odds of live births decreased by 38% when comparing the highest quartile of PM10 exposure in the two weeks leading up to oocyte collection to the lowest quartile. (Credit: Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik)

The impact of air pollution is far reaching, contributing to premature deaths and numerous health effects such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. But did you know its effects start even before life begins? Researchers have discovered that exposure to air pollution can reduce the odds of live births after IVF (in vitro fertilization).

Exposure to fine particulate matter before egg retrieval (oocyte retrieval) in IVF can reduce live birth odds by around 40%, according to the results of the study presented at the ESHRE 40th Annual Meeting in Amsterdam on Sunday.