Hair mineral analysis was conducted on samples obtained from fifty women with IVF pregnancy and over one hundred controls who experienced spontaneous pregnancy. Hair samples were also analyzed from their nine month old children in both groups. Comparisons revealed that women with IVF pregnancy had significantly elevated hair arsenic, mercury, lithium, sodium and potassium and reduced iron and zinc levels. The children of the IVF group had low hair levels of chromium, iron, magnesium and higher mercury and molybdenum compared to the control group. Hair mineral levels were associated with infertility and pregnancy complications. The authors conclude that the results suggest the need for preconception monitoring and correction of essential elements as well as toxic metals in or to improve the course of pregnancy and child development.
Akainy, AV, et al. Toxicological and nutritional status of trace elements in hair of women with in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy and their 9-months-old children. Reprod. Toxicol. 11,81, 2018.
