AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightBecause the analyses were exploratory, unadjusted, and based on multiple correlation tests, the results should be interpreted cautiously.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Aims: Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a persistent phenolic chemical with harmful effects on the endocrine system. Although its causal relationship with ovarian reserve has not been fully established, it has been associated with reduced ovarian reserve. However, many cases remain unexplained. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum PCP levels differed between women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and women with normal ovarian reserve. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional case-control study enrolled 120 women aged 18-45 years who were evaluated in an in vitro fertilization unit. Sixty women with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) 1.1 ng/ml formed the control group. Demographic, reproductive, and laboratory characteristics were recorded before treatment. Serum samples were stored at -80°C. PCP concentrations were measured with a competitive ELISA following liquid-liquid extraction. Because the assay kit had not been validated for serum, additional analytical validation was performed, including recovery, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and duplicate precision testing. Results: Age was similar between the DOR and control groups (33.1±5.9 vs 32.1±6.4 years; p=0.393). Body-mass index was higher in the DOR group (29.25±2.68 vs 27.45±2.92 kg/m²; p<0.001). Median AMH was markedly lower in the DOR group [0.51 (0.59) vs 2.78 (1.74) ng/ml; p<0.001]. Median serum PCP was lower in the DOR group than in controls [0.115 (0.058) vs 0.128 (0.040) ppb; p=0.032]. Within both cohorts, serum PCP correlated inversely with AMH (DOR: r=-0.268, p=0.039; control: r=-0.265, p=0.041). Serum PCP correlated positively with age only in controls (r=0.386, p=0.002). Conclusion: Serum PCP concentrations did not show a higher burden in women with DOR. However, the inverse within-cohort correlations between PCP and AMH suggest a possible endocrine signal that should be tested in larger longitudinal studies using repeated urine, serum, and follicular fluid measurements. These findings should be regarded as hypothesis-generating rather than causal. Because the analyses were exploratory, unadjusted, and based on multiple correlation tests, the results should be interpreted cautiously.