Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
06:40
Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: October 24, 2025
Infertility and the environment: the medical context
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA. giudice@obgyn.ucsf.edu
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
|June 29, 2006
Summary
Environmental contaminants and heavy metals may contribute to unexplained infertility, impacting reproductive health. This article provides context for healthcare professionals and patients on this emerging concern.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- 10-15% of the population experiences infertility, with diagnoses found in 85-90% of cases.
- Underlying causes for infertility often remain unidentified, despite extensive diagnostic efforts.
- Existing research indicates adverse effects of environmental contaminants on reproductive systems in wildlife and humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the medical context of infertility evaluation.
- To establish a foundation for discussions on environmental contaminants and reproductive health.
- To inform healthcare professionals and patients about potential environmental contributors to infertility.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on environmental contaminants and reproductive health.
- Analysis of epidemiological studies concerning human infertility.
- Examination of research on animal models regarding environmental exposure and reproductive function.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a link between environmental chemicals, heavy metals, and infertility.
- Adverse effects on reproductive tract development and function are documented in animal studies.
- Epidemiological data points to potential contributions of environmental factors in human infertility.
Conclusions:
- Environmental contaminants are a potential, often overlooked, cause of infertility.
- Further education and dialogue are needed between healthcare providers and patients regarding environmental exposures.
- Integrating environmental health into reproductive medicine is crucial for future patient care.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Infertility in Males
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
01:28Infertility in Females
Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
01:41Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
01:21Dimensions of Health and Illness
The factors influencing the health-illness continuum can be internal or external and may or may not be under conscious control. They are related to the following eight human dimensions, and each dimension is interrelated to one other.