Association between PM2.5 and its components and antral follicle count: A multicity study in Chinese adults.

Antral follicle count (AFC) is a key biomarker of ovarian reserve, however, its association with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical components remains inadequately understood. In this study, we estimated the effects of PM2.5 mass and its components including sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), organic matter (OM), and black carbon (BC) on AFC among women of reproductive age. We included 4053 women seeking infertility treatment in Sichuan and Hubei provinces, China. A multivariable negative binomial mixed-effect model with city as a random effect was employed to estimate the associations between PM2.5 and its components and AFC. Weighted quantile sum regression analysis was performed to evaluate the joint effect of PM2.5 components on AFC. Our findings showed that exposure to PM2.5 mass, SO42-,NO3-,NH4+, OM, and BC was associated with lower AFC. These results suggest that exposure to ambient PM2.5 and its chemical components may impair ovarian reserve. Targeted reduction of specific air pollutants represents a potential strategy to protect female reproductive health.