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Related Concept Videos

Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

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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...
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Drinking water quality impacts oocyte viability and embryo development.

Yasmyn E Winstanley1, Macarena B Gonzalez1, Eryk Andreas1

  • 1Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

Frontiers in Reproductive Health
|August 21, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental toxicants in drinking water can harm fertility. Studies show Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in tap water caused embryo loss and impaired development in female mice, even at levels considered safe.

Keywords:
embryo developmentenvironmental contaminantsfemale fertilityoocyteperfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)water quality

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive toxicology
  • Environmental health
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Reproductive function is a sensitive indicator of overall health and environmental toxicant exposure.
  • Disruptions to fertility can signal broader health issues.
  • Environmental contaminants in water pose a risk to reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of a change in drinking water source on female mouse reproductive function.
  • To identify the toxicant responsible for observed reproductive impairments.
  • To assess the effects of Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) on oocyte and embryo development.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of female mice to different sources of tap water and PFAS-contaminated water.
  • Assessment of oocyte quality, meiotic maturation, and embryo development.
  • Analysis of water composition for contaminants, including trace elements, phthalates, and PFAS.
  • Correlation analysis between PFAS concentration and reproductive parameters.

Main Results:

  • Switching drinking water sources led to embryo loss and impaired oocyte maturation in female mice.
  • Carbon filtration of the contaminated water source reversed the harmful effects.
  • Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) were detected in the contaminated water at approximately 4 ng/L.
  • Exposure to PFAS-contaminated water (0.6–4.4 ng/L) resulted in decreased oocyte quality, impaired embryogenesis, and reduced blastocyst cell numbers.
  • PFAS concentration was negatively correlated with oocyte viability.

Conclusions:

  • Tap water, even within current safe guidelines, can contain contaminants detrimental to mammalian embryo development.
  • Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) may be responsible for the observed reproductive toxicity.
  • Further research is needed to confirm PFAS as the causative agent and to establish safe exposure levels.
  • Findings have significant implications for public health and water quality policies regarding environmental toxicants and reproductive health.