Cristina Diana Popescu

Dr. Cristina Diana Popescu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CPCristina Diana Popescu
Cristina Diana Popescu
BHBashar Haj Hamoud
Bashar Haj Hamoud
SRSima Romina-Marina
Sima Romina-Marina
ABAnca Bobirca
Anca Bobirca
OBOana Denisa Balalau
Oana Denisa Balalau
Liana PlesLiana Ples
Liana Ples
Objectives. Infertility is a topic of great interest around the world because it affects many couples at young ages. It can be caused by genetic background, associated with pathologies and/or external factors. The purpose of our study was to identify the causes of infertility of women presented in our clinic with this pathology. Materials and Methods. This retrospective study was performed on women with primary or secondary infertility. The analyzed data were age, weight, hereditary and personal pathological history, medication, menstrual cycle characteristics, standard blood tests, ultrasound, hysterosalpingography and hysteroscopy. Results. The study included 204 women with average age 35 years. The main diagnosis was primary infertility in 68.63% and secondary infertility in 31.37% cases. One of the most common diagnosed findings in ultrasound were uterine fibroids with an incidence of 6.86%, the incidence being higher among women with primary infertility than in women with secondary infertility. Regarding endometrial polyps, 96.15% of cases were observed ultrasonographical and the incidence of endometrial polyps was higher among women with primary infertility than in women with secondary infertility. Conclusions. This study identified that infertility is a multifactorial pathology, which requires multidisciplinary addressability. Gynecological pathology (such as tubal pathologies, uterine malformations, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, endometrial polyps, etc.) was very common among these patients, finding and treating the condition being the main objective of the study.

18 November 2025 in Reproductive Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CPCristina Diana Popescu
Cristina Diana Popescu
SRSima Romina-Marina
Sima Romina-Marina
MPMircea-Octavian Poenaru
Mircea-Octavian Poenaru
ACAncuta Constantin
Ancuta Constantin
GGGabriel Petre Gorecki
Gabriel Petre Gorecki
Liana PlesLiana Ples
Liana Ples
Objectives: Female fertility is increasingly threatened by environmental pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and NO2), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (BPA, phthalates, PFAS, and PCBs), and microplastics. These exposures are associated with impaired ovarian reserve, reduced implantation rates, and lower assisted reproductive technology (ART) success. Given the rising prevalence of obesity and weight-loss interventions, particularly bariatric surgery, understanding the combined influence of metabolic and environmental factors on reproductive outcomes is of critical importance. This review aimed to synthesize recent evidence on how these exposures interact to affect female fertility. Methods: A narrative review was conducted of studies published between 2019 and 2025 using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library. The PubMed Boolean search string was “female fertility”, “ovarian function”, “IVF” and “pollution”, “endocrine disruptors”, “air pollutants”, and “microplastics”. Searches were limited to English language publications, with the last search performed on 30 March 2025. Human, animal, and in vitro data were screened separately. Human evidence was prioritized, and confounding factors (age, BMI, and smoking) were considered during interpretation. Results: Environmental pollutants were consistently associated with diminished ovarian reserve, poor oocyte quality, and reduced live birth rates in ART. PFAS exposure correlated with lower fecundability, while PM2.5 and NO2 were linked to decreased AMH and AFC levels. Mechanistic animal and in vitro studies support these findings through pathways involving oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and epigenetic alterations. Rapid metabolic changes, particularly post-bariatric surgery, may transiently increase circulating lipophilic toxicants and reduce antioxidant defenses, amplifying reproductive vulnerability. Conclusions: Environmental exposures, especially PM2.5, NO2, PFAS, and microplastics, adversely influence ovarian and embryonic competence. Rapid metabolic transitions may further modulate this susceptibility through pollutant mobilization and micronutrient imbalances. Future interdisciplinary prospective studies integrating exposure monitoring, metabolic profiling, and reproductive endpoints are essential to guide clinical recommendations and precision fertility counseling.