According to recent literature, genotoxicity is one of the important causes of infertility and the rising incidence of various cancers worldwide. DNA damage and its effect on DNA segregation are the mechanisms by which genotoxicity causes infertility or carcinogenesis. In this article, we discuss about genotoxicity and the various chemicals and environmental pollutants that cause genetic damage and their mechanisms of action. Hazardous effects of chemicals and pollutants can be evaluated by various genotoxicity and mutagenicity tests. These are important and initial steps in industrial development and the regulation of their effect on health. The detailed knowledge of the effects of genotoxins on fertility at the molecular, subcellular, cellular and tissue or organ system levels is crucial for a better understanding of occupational and environmental hazards and the need to find safe alternatives. In addition, new biomarkers using OMICS can render genotoxicity evaluation to decrease the infertility and cancer risk.

The time line in IVF is critical, as the procedures are associated with the time of the ovulation trigger for follicular maturation, followed by sequential procedures in relation to it. Starting from oocyte recovery scheduled 36 hours post-trigger, the laboratory procedures are followed up sequentially. Oocyte cumulus complex (OCC) may be incubated until insemination or ICSI until 40 hours post-trigger. Conventional insemination may be done either short (4–6 hours) or long insemination (overnight). However, short insemination is associated with an increase in the 3-PN rate. OCC for ICSI may be denuded at least after 38 hours post-trigger, and ICSI may be performed within 2 to 4 hours post-denuding. ICSI done within 2 hours post-denuding appears to be yielding better-quality embryos. Time-lapse studies have indicated that it is possible to obtain higher clinical and live birth rates with embryos reaching the blastocyst stage faster than other embryos. Embryo transfers done with Day 3 embryos result in a higher pregnancy rate than Day 2 while blastocyst transfers perform better than day 3 transfers. Mobilization of patients after ET may not affect the outcome.