Hair Trace Element and Electrolyte Content in Women with Natural and In Vitro Fertilization-Induced Pregnancy

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to perform comparative analysis of hair trace element content in women with natural and in vitro fertilization (IVF)-induced pregnancy. Hair trace element content in 33 women with IVF-induced pregnancy and 99 age- and body mass index-matched control pregnant women (natural pregnancy) was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated that IVF-pregnant women are characterized by significantly lower hair levels of Cu, Fe, Si, Zn, Ca, Mg, and Ba at p < 0.05 or lower. Comparison of the individual levels with the national reference values demonstrated higher incidence of Fe and Cu deficiency in IVF-pregnant women in comparison to that of the controls. IVF pregnancy was also associated with higher hair As levels (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant interrelation between IVF pregnancy and hair Cu, Fe, Si, and As content. Hair Cu levels were also influenced by vitamin/mineral supplementation and the number of pregnancies, whereas hair Zn content was dependent on prepregnancy anthropometric parameters. In turn, planning of pregnancy had a significant impact on Mg levels in scalp hair. Generally, the obtained data demonstrate an elevated risk of copper, iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium deficiency and arsenic overload in women with IVF-induced pregnancy. The obtained data indicate the necessity of regular monitoring of micronutrient status in IVF-pregnant women in order to prevent potential deleterious effects of altered mineral homeostasis.

Heavy metals and metalloids exposure and in vitro fertilization: Critical concerns in human reproductive medicine

“…In a study to examine the heavy metals and metalloids status in hair samples of women with IVF pregnancy and their 9-month-old children, Skalny et al ( 29 ) found out that women with IVF pregnancy demonstrated significantly high hair As, Hg, Li levels and their children also had significantly elevated hair Hg and Mo concentrations compared to control ( 30 ). Similarly, another case-control study by Skalny et al ( 30 ) demonstrated that IVF pregnancy correlated significantly with elevated hair levels of As ( p < 0.05) suggestive of arsenic overload in IVF patients ( 31 ). Garcia-Fortea et al ( 28 ) in a prospective cohort study examined 194 women undergoing IVF and found an inverse correlation between concentration of Hg in hair and probability of mature oocytes (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70–0.95) while a direct association was demonstrated with Pb (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03–1.35) ( 29 ).…”

“…A study by Wu et al ( 32 ) revealed an inverse association between serum Cr level of IVF patients with the count of mature oocytes ( p = 0.033), in addition, arsenic (As) concentration in female serum were inversely associated with the probabilities to obtain good-quality cleavage embryos ( p < 0.01) ( 33 ). On the other hand, Tulic et al ( 31 ) found a significant negative correlation between IVF outcome with higher serum concentrations of Pb ( p = 0.046) and Cd ( p = 0.012) ( 32 ).…”

“…Hair analysis provides a novel approach of probing the impact of long-term exposure to heavy metals and metalloids on reproductive outcomes ( 74 , 75 ). Five studies ( 23 , 26 , 29 – 31 ) investigated heavy metals and metalloids in hair samples of women undergoing IVF. In a study to examine the heavy metals and metalloids status in hair samples of women with IVF pregnancy and their 9-month-old children, Skalny et al ( 29 ) found out that women with IVF pregnancy demonstrated significantly high hair As, Hg, Li levels and their children also had significantly elevated hair Hg and Mo concentrations compared to control ( 30 ).…”

Bioactive Scaffolds for Regeneration of Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Interface

“…Additionally, Sr has been proved to stimulate the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by up-regulating extracellular matrix (ECM) gene expression and activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway 53 . It was also reported that Si stimulated MSCs differentiation by activating Wnt pathways 54 , 55 . Hence, it is reasonable to speculate that in this study, Sr and Si ions released from SPS bioactive scaffold may together contribute to promote subchondral bone regeneration via activation of the Wnt pathway.…”

Sodium selenite inhibits deoxynivalenol-induced injury in GPX1-knockdown porcine splenic lymphocytes in culture

“…A large number of studies have shown that Se prevents the oxidative stress induced by some mycotoxins 36 – 38 . In this study, the levels of MDA and H 2 O 2 were significantly lower in the groups SD1–4 than in the groups D1–4 ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the activities of SOD and CAT, the levels of GSH, T-AOC, and the capacity of the cells to inhibit hydroxyl radicals were higher in the groups SD1–4 than in the groups D1–4 mostly ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).…”