Impaired endometrial receptivity and implantation failure are commonly associated with idiopathic infertility, with little insight into their causes. Evidence supports exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in a variety of everyday items and commercial products as being major contributors to infertility. Of particular concern are the pervasive chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), found in drinking water, fast-food wrappings and textiles. These are found in blood and linked with infertility in men, however their effects on endometrial receptivity is unknown. This study aimed to determine if the in vitro exposure to two PFAS’, PFOA and PFOS, would affect the proliferation, migration and viability of human endometrial epithelial cells (Ishikawa cell line) and human trophoblast progenitor cells (hTSC). Ishikawa and hTSC were treated for 24 hours with or without concentrations of PFOA (2 or 45nM) or PFOS (4 or 35nM); equivalent to human blood levels. Cells were then subjected to a scratch assay and monitored to quantify cell proliferation and migration. In separate cultures, an XTT assay was performed to investigate changes in cell viability. RNASeq analyses were also undertaken. Repeated measures and two-way ANOVAs were employed to determine statistical differences (P<0.05). Exposure to both low and high PFOA and PFOS concentrations decreased the proliferation and migration rate of Ishikawa and hTSC relative to controls (P<0.05). Whereas no differences in cell viability were determined (P>0.05). RNASeq analyses identified numerous genes and pathways to be perturbed by PFAS exposure that underpin functional consequences previously unknown (P<0.05). Collectively, the negative effects of PFAS may partially explain the increasing rates of female idiopathic infertility associated with defective endometrial receptivity. Further studies are required to examine the affected molecular pathways and the chronic effects of PFOA and PFOS exposure on endometrial and trophoblast function in vivo.
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