Ambient black carbon particles in human ovarian tissue and follicular fluid

Eva Bongaerts; Katariina Mamia; Ilmatar Rooda; Richelle D. Björvang; Kiriaki Papaikonomou; Sebastian B. Gidlöf; Jan I. Olofsson; Marcel Ameloot; Ernesto Alfaro-Moreno; Tim S. Nawrot; Pauliina Damdimopoulou

Environment International (Sep 2023)

Ambient black carbon particles in human ovarian tissue and follicular fluid

Eva Bongaerts,
Katariina Mamia,
Ilmatar Rooda,
Richelle D. Björvang,
Kiriaki Papaikonomou,
Sebastian B. Gidlöf,
Jan I. Olofsson,
Marcel Ameloot,
Ernesto Alfaro-Moreno,
Tim S. Nawrot,
Pauliina Damdimopoulou

Affiliations

Eva Bongaerts: Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
Katariina Mamia: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
Ilmatar Rooda: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden
Richelle D. Björvang: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
Kiriaki Papaikonomou: Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Sebastian B. Gidlöf: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Jan I. Olofsson: Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Marcel Ameloot: Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
Ernesto Alfaro-Moreno: Nanosafety Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
Tim S. Nawrot: Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Pauliina Damdimopoulou: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden; Corresponding author at: Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, K65 Karolinska University Hospital, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 179
p. 108141

Abstract

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Evidence indicates a link between exposure to ambient air pollution and decreased female fertility. The ability of air pollution particles to reach human ovarian tissue and follicles containing the oocytes in various maturation stages has not been studied before. Particulate translocation might be an essential step in explaining reproductive toxicity and assessing associated risks. Here, we analysed the presence of ambient black carbon particles in (i) follicular fluid samples collected during ovum pick-up from 20 women who underwent assisted reproductive technology treatment and (ii) adult human ovarian tissue from 5 individuals. Follicular fluid and ovarian tissue samples were screened for the presence of black carbon particles from ambient air pollution using white light generation by carbonaceous particles under femtosecond pulsed laser illumination. We detected black carbon particles in all follicular fluid (n = 20) and ovarian tissue (n = 5) samples. Black carbon particles from ambient air pollution can reach the ovaries and follicular fluid, directly exposing the ovarian reserve and maturing oocytes. Considering the known link between air pollution and decreased fertility, the impact of such exposure on oocyte quality, ovarian ageing and fertility needs to be clarified urgently.

Published in Environment International

ISSN: 0160-4120 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international

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