Relationship between villus BaP-DNA adducts level and blighted ovum in early pregnancy

Abstract

Objective To investigate relations between villus Benzo (a)pyrene (BaP)-DNA adducts and blighted ovum in early pregnancy, and to explore possible environmental factors influencing embryo development. Methods One hundred and two pregnant women with blighted ovum were selected into this study as research group; and 102 normal pregnant women were taken as control group; the age, gravidity, parity and gestational weeks of the two groups were matched. After artificial abortion, villi of the patients were collected and washed by normal saline. Then, the tissue was homogenated and genome DNA was extracted to detect quantity of the tissue. BaP-DNA adducts levels were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence method (HPLC). The personal information of pregnant women was collected by questionnaire. Logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between BaP-DNA adducts and blighted ovum. Results BaP-DNA adducts level in villi of research group [(8. 9±8. 2) adducts/108 nucleotides] was significantly higher than that of control group [(2. 0±1. 4) adducts/108 nucleotides], P＜0.05. The higher the BaP-DNA adducts in villi, the higher risk the blighted ovum; when the BaP-DNA adducts level increased to 6.06 adducts/108 nucleotides, the risk of blighted ovum might increase 59.39 times (95% CI:15.50-227.55). Maternal education level was a protective factor (OR=-0.21, 95%CI:-0. 19--0.03) after controlling potential confounders. Conclusions High level of villi BaP-DNA adducts might increase the risk of blighted ovum in early pregnancy, and could have an adverse effect on embryo development. Key words: Embryonic development; Pregnancy trimester, first; Chorionic villi; Benzo(a)pyrene; DNA Adducts; Chromatography, high pressure liquid