Association of Ambient Air Pollution and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women with Assisted Reproductive Technology in Qingdao, China: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Air pollution may significantly impact fertility treatment success rates, according to a recent study from China. Researchers followed 3,478 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Qingdao between 2021 and 2023, examining how exposure to common air pollutants affected their treatment outcomes. The study found that exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reduced both biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates, while fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and NO2 decreased egg quality and the number of mature eggs retrieved. Interestingly, the study identified that certain women were more vulnerable to specific pollutants. Women aged 35 and older were more sensitive to NO2 exposure, while younger women under 35 were more affected by ozone (O3). Women who produced seven or more eggs during retrieval showed greater sensitivity to both PM2.5 and NO2. These findings suggest that air quality during fertility treatment may be an important consideration for couples trying to conceive through assisted reproduction. For patients considering acupuncture as a complementary therapy during fertility treatment, this research highlights the importance of environmental factors in reproductive health. While acupuncture has been studied as a supportive treatment for IVF, minimizing exposure to air pollution during treatment cycles may also improve outcomes. Patients might consider timing treatment cycles during seasons with better air quality when possible, using air purifiers at home, and limiting outdoor exposure on high-pollution days. To incorporate acupuncture into your fertility care plan, seek a qualified practitioner licensed in reproductive acupuncture who can coordinate with your fertility specialist.

This retrospective cohort study examined 3,478 infertility patients undergoing fresh embryo transfer in Qingdao, China (2021-2023), assessing ambient air pollutant effects on ART outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression revealed NO2 exposure negatively associated with biochemical pregnancy rates (aOR=0.967, 95% CI=0.935-0.999) and clinical pregnancy rates (aOR=1.044, 95% CI=1.001-1.088). PM2.5 and NO2 exposure showed negative associations with oocyte retrieval numbers and MII oocyte counts. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) analysis demonstrated negative correlation between pollutant mixture and MII oocyte count (aOR=0.916, 95% CI=0.857-0.978). Stratified analyses identified vulnerable subpopulations: women ≥35 years showed greater sensitivity to NO2, while those <35 were more affected by O3; patients with ≥7 oocytes demonstrated increased sensitivity to PM2.5 and NO2. Clinical implications suggest environmental counseling and personalized timing of ART cycles may optimize outcomes, particularly for identified vulnerable populations. Acupuncture practitioners should consider air quality as a modifiable factor when developing treatment protocols for fertility patients.