Effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on ovarian function and embryo quality in mice

[Display omitted] •PM2.5 adversely affect health, however, little is known on female reproduction.•The work study the effects of PM2.5 on ovarian function and embryo quality in mice.•It showed PM2.5 decreased female fertility and embryo quality by apoptotic pathway. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has an adverse effect on reproductive function, in particular causing reduced male reproductive function, but relatively few studies have directly targeted its effects on female reproduction. To investigate the effects of PM2.5 exposure on female reproduction, we exposed female mice to PM2.5 by intratracheal instillation for 28 days, and evaluated apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes and the quality embryos after insemination. Our results showed increased numbers of apoptotic granulosa cells and oocytes after exposure to elevated concentrations of PM2.5, which had adverse effects on female fertility via compromising embryo development and quality. We conclude that PM2.5 induced apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes leading to disrupted embryo development and female fertility in mice.