Quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in plasma and follicular fluid of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization in Iowa: A pilot study

Quantification of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in plasma and follicular fluid of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization in Iowa: A pilot studyPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent synthetic chemicals that impart oil, water, and stain repellency to products.The use of PFAS has expanded in industrial and consumer products, including cleaning, personal care, and food items.The PFAS are absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, and skin, after which they accumulate in the liver through interactions with fatty acid-binding proteins.They subsequently are distributed systemically via noncovalent binding to serum albumin, facilitating their presence in tissues, such as plasma and follicular fluid.Unlike many xenobiotics, the PFAS investigated in this study are not metabolized; rather, they are excreted largely unchanged.Legacy PFAS are longchain compounds, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), historically used in industrial and consumer products that have been phased out or restricted because of their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity.Replacement PFAS were introduced as alternatives and include short-chain analogs and polyfluorinated ether derivatives.However, replacement PFAS are recognized increasingly for their environmental persistence and potential health risks.Growing evidence associates PFAS to adverse health effects related to endocrine and fertility function, which could affect reproductive outcomes in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) (1).Our objective was to quantify PFAS in plasma and follicular fluid of patients undergoing infertility treatment in Iowa, United States.