Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Extraction, Labeling, and Purification of Lineage-Specific Cells from Human Antral Follicles
Published on: November 30, 2022
Lead concentrates in ovarian follicle compromises pregnancy
Tali Silberstein1, Oshra Saphier, Ofra Paz-Tal
1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island Brown Medical School Providence, Rhode Island 02905, USA. talisil@bgu.ac.il
Abstract:
Following absorption, lead can concentrate in bodily compartments where it disrupts cellular processes and can result in detrimental health consequences. The concentration and impact of lead within follicular fluid has not been characterized and we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) to determine lead levels in blood and follicular fluid from nine patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Lead levels within follicular fluid were found to be significantly higher in non-pregnant patients compared to pregnant patients suggesting that elevated concentrations of the environmental toxicant lead adversely affect female reproduction.
Related Concept Videos
Oogenesis
Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Ovarian Cycle
Folliculogenesis
Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
