A study by the researchers from the University of California in Los Angeles has indicated a link between perfluorinated chemicals
(PFCs) and infertility in women. These chemicals are - used for making Teflon, upholstery, waterproof clothing, pesticides - can remain present in the atmosphere as well as human body for decades, thereby causing problems in the way of pregnancy.

During the course of their study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, the researchers measured the levels of PFCs in the blood of 1,240 women, taken at the time of their first antenatal visit. The women were then questioned about whether it was a planned pregnancy, and about the time they took to get pregnant.

The range of PFC levels in women was a very vast one; varying from 6.4 nanograms - a billionth of a gram - per ml of blood, to 106.4 nanograms per ml.

Divided into four groups on the basis of the levels of PFCs, a comparative study revealed that the chances of infertility were notably higher for the women with higher levels of the chemical in their bloodstream, and lower for those with lower PFC levels!

One of the researchers, Dr Chunyuan Fei, said women with higher levels of PFCs mostly had irregular menstrual cycles, suggesting an interference with hormones.

Calling the findings "interesting," Tony Rutherford, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said that the study "warrants further detailed research, particularly in those trying for a family."