Work

Impact of fine particulate matter on blastocyst development in women undergoing In Vitro fertilization

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) has increasingly been implicated in adverse reproductive outcomes. It is associated with irregular periods, reduced fertility, problems with egg production, and decreased embryo quality. However, its effects on the earliest stages of human embryogenesis remain poorly defined. In this study, we analyzed a real-world cohort of 885 first-cycle in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients using high-resolution geocoded exposure data to evaluate the effects of primary ambient pollutants and identify those most strongly associated with blastocyst development. Higher maternal exposure to combustion-derived pollutants (especially PM 2.5 ) was consistently associated with reduced blastocyst formation and lower rates of high-quality blastocyst in both primary and secondary infertility groups. To further investigate these findings, we conducted a litter-controlled mouse experiment in which the mice were exposed to long-term ambient PM 2.5 (mean 29.71 µg/m 3 ). Blastocysts from exposed females exhibited a pronounced glycolytic shift, characterized by increased expression of glycolytic enzymes. We also observed activation of Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), increased oxidative stress, suppressed mitochondrial function and tricarboxylic acid-cycle activity, and disrupted proteostasis. These alterations were confirmed by proteomics, quantitative PCR, and functional imaging. Collectively, this finding demonstrates that PM 2.5 exposure compromises early blastocyst development through metabolic reprogramming, mitochondrial impairment, and proteotoxic stress. The cross-species convergence of epidemiologic and molecular evidence indicates pollutant-specific reproductive toxicity and highlights actionable opportunities for exposure mitigation in IVF care. The graphical abstract is presented in Fig. 1. • Long-term PM₂.₅ exposure elevates oocyte ROS and stabilizes HIF-1α. • Proteomics reveals glycolysis shift with suppressed TCA and proteasome decline. • Time-lapse imaging shows delayed compaction and reduced blastocoel expansion. • Metabolic–proteostasis disruption links PM₂.₅ exposure to reduced embryo competence. • Integrating air-quality assessment may improve embryo culture outcomes in IVF.

Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2026.120103