Para-phenylenediamine deteriorates oocyte quality by impairing mitochondrial function

Associations of personal care products use with reproductive outcomes of IVF/ICSI treatment

Introduction

Personal care products (PCPs) contain a number of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that could potentially affect the reproductive function in women of childbearing age. However, studies focused on the effects of PCPs use on reproductive outcomes are very limited. The current study aimed to explore the relationships between PCPs use patterns and reproductive outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment.

Methods

A total of 1500 women from the Tongji Reproductive and Environmental (TREE) study between December 2018 and January 2020 were included in this study. Participants provided characteristics of PCPs use within the previous three months. Retrieved oocyte number, mature oocyte number, two distinct pronuclei (2PN) zygote number, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate, implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth were followed up as reproductive endpoints. Generalized linear regression model was utilized to assess the associations between various categories of PCPs use and reproductive endpoints of IVF/ICSI.

Results

After adjusting for relevant covariates, women who used skin care products ≥14 times per week had a reduction of 22.4% in the maturation rate (95% CI: -39.2%, -1.6%) compared to participants who did not use skin care products. After transferring fresh embryos, women who used cosmetics 1-2 times per week (adjusted OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 4.8) or 3-7 times per week (adjusted OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 5.2) had a higher possibility of miscarriage than those who did not use cosmetics. There was negative association between the use of gel or soap and the cleavage rate among women aged < 30 years old (P for interaction = 0.01). Among women with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2, the use of gel or soap was negatively associated with the blastocyst formation rate (P for interaction = 0.04), while cosmetics use was negatively associated with the maturation rate (P for interaction = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the use of PCPs in women of reproductive age have a potential adverse impact on IVF/ICSI outcomes, particularly skin care and cosmetic products.

Fertility loss: negative effects of environmental toxicants on oogenesis

There has been a global decline in fertility rates, with ovulatory disorders emerging as the leading cause, contributing to a global lifetime infertility prevalence of 17.5%. Formation of the primordial follicle pool during early and further development of oocytes after puberty is crucial in determining female fertility and reproductive quality. However, the increasing exposure to environmental toxins (through occupational exposure and ubiquitous chemicals) in daily life is a growing concern; these toxins have been identified as significant risk factors for oogenesis in women. In light of this concern, this review aims to enhance our understanding of female reproductive system diseases and their implications. Specifically, we summarized and categorized the environmental toxins that can affect oogenesis. Here, we provide an overview of oogenesis, highlighting specific stages that may be susceptible to the influence of environmental toxins. Furthermore, we discuss the genetic and molecular mechanisms by which various environmental toxins, including metals, cigarette smoke, and agricultural and industrial toxins, affect female oogenesis. Raising awareness about the potential risks associated with toxin exposure is crucial. However, further research is needed to fully comprehend the mechanisms underlying these effects, including the identification of biomarkers to assess exposure levels and predict reproductive outcomes. By providing a comprehensive overview, this review aims to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of environmental toxins on female oogenesis and guide future research in this field.

Toxicity of para-phenylenediamine (PPD;1, 4 diaminobenzene) on isolated human lymphocytes: The key role of intracellular calcium enhancement in PPD-induced apoptosis

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a derivative of benzene used as an ingredient in dyes, a photographic developing agent, and a component of engineered polymers. The carcinogenicity of PPD, which has been documented in several studies, may be related to its toxic effects on different compartments of the immune system. The main goal of this research was to evaluate the mechanism of the toxicity of PPD on human lymphocytes by exploiting the accelerated cytotoxicity mechanism screening (ACMS) technique. Lymphocytes were isolated from the blood of healthy persons using a Ficoll-Paque PLUS standard method. Assessment of cell viability was carried out 12 h following treatment of human lymphocytes with 0.25-1 mM PPD. For determination of cellular parameters, isolated human lymphocytes were incubated with 1/2 the IC50 (0.4 mM), the IC50 (0.8 mM), and twice the IC50 (1.6 mM) for 2, 4, and 6 h. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) is the concentration that reduces cell viability approximately 50% following treatment. The results of this study demonstrated that PPD-associated apoptosis in human lymphocytes was mainly through the enhancement of intracellular calcium, oxidative stress, and following adverse effect on lymphocyte organelles (like mitochondria and lysosomes). Lipid peroxidation, activation of caspase-3, and stimulation of cytokines (IL₂, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and TNF-alpha) production were also observed in PPD-treated lymphocytes. Considering the results of this study, we can suggest an association between PPD carcinogenicity and its toxic effects on different compartments of the immune system.