[Demonstration of chlorinated hydrocarbons in follicular secretions]

To determine the concentration of HCB, HCH and PCB in human follicular fluid, 315 preovulatory follicular taken from 45 patients and aspirated by transvaginal follicular puncture were analysed with the aid of gas chromatography. We distinguished follicular fluid without oocytes and follicular fluid with oocytes. Again the latter is subdivided into follicular fluid containing secondarily fertilized oocytes and non-fertilized oocytes. There are great differences in HCB (0.08 - 1.87 ng/ml), HCH (0.05 - 1.0 ng/ml) and PCB (0.28 - 2.11 ng/ml) concentrations, varying even in the follicles of the same patient. Contrary to all our expectations we did not find any significant difference in the HCB, HCH and PCB concentration of the different follicular fluids. A direct influence of these substances on the fertilization of oocytes in IVF-ET-procedure could not be established.