Effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on ovarian function and embryo quality in mice. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Fine particulate matter (PM) has an adverse effect on reproductive function, in particular causing reduced male reproductive function, but relatively few studies have directly targeted its effects on female reproduction. To investigate the effects of PMexposure on female reproduction, we exposed female mice to PMby intratracheal instillation for 28 days, and evaluated apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes and the quality embryos after insemination. Our results showed increased numbers of apoptotic granulosa cells and oocytes after exposure to elevated concentrations of PM, which had adverse effects on female fertility via compromising embryo development and quality. We conclude that PMinduced apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes leading to disrupted embryo development and female fertility in mice.