Detection of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in culture media and protein sources used for human in vitro fertilization

•PBDE levels were measured in human IVF medium and protein source samples.•PBDEs were found in 23 of the 30 samples analyzed.•Dominant PBDE congeners were BDE-47, -100, -99, and -153.•PBDE levels were relatively high in the protein source samples (7.5–385 pg g−1).

The concentrations of 10 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in commercial culture media and protein sources (PSs) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) of human ova were investigated. Samples of 15 IVF media (IVFM), nine sperm preparation media (SPM), and six PSs were analyzed. PBDEs were detected in 10 IVFM, seven SPM, and all PS samples in ranges of 0.6–35, 0.9–31, and 7.5–385 pg g−1, respectively. A dominant PBDE congener BDE-47 was detected in the PS and PS-supplemented samples. Our findings suggested that PS supplementation was the potential cause of PBDE-contamination of IVFM and SPM.