Dietary Pesticide Exposure May Hinder Women's Reproductive Potential

Eating larger amounts of conventionally grown produce was associated with unfavorable reproductive outcomes in women receiving fertility treatment.

In the U.S., detectable concentrations of pesticides or their metabolites are present in most individuals, primarily through eating conventionally grown fruits and vegetables (FVs) — but the effects on reproductive outcomes remain unknown. Using a validated questionnaire to estimate dietary exposure to pesticide residues, researchers investigated the associations between preconception intake of high- and low-pesticide residue FVs and reproductive outcomes in a prospective cohort of 325 women undergoing 541 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

In all, 228 cycles (42%) resulted in live birth. High-pesticide FV intake was inversely associated with probability of clinical pregnancy and live birth per IVF cycle: Compared with women in the lowest …

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Dietary Pesticide Exposure May Hinder Women's Reproductive Potential

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Reviewing Author