Abstract: Objective: To explore the toxicity of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on the fertility of female rats. Methods：Adult female SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: saline group (as negative control), low-, middle- and high-dose PM2.5 groups, and BaP group (as positive control). PM2.5 was given by trachea instillation and BaP was given by intra-gastric administration from 15 days pro-gestation to 6 days after gestation. On the gestational day 6.5 (GD6.5), female rats were sacrificed. Lungs were observed by naked eye. Uterine weight and embryos counts were recorded. Vein blood was collected for detecting the concentration of blood heavy metals including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb). Tissues of uterus and ovaries were stained by HE. Results：Compared with the saline group, body weight of rats in the high-dose PM2.5 group significantly decreased and the lung histology also changed. While the dose of PM2.5 raised, the mating and GD6.5 pregnancy index decreased nevertheless rats in BaP group showed no difference. Then GD19.5 pregnancy index of BaP group decreased apparently as compared with saline group. Embryos counts，uterine and embryos weight in three PM2.5 groups significantly reduced. The As level increased in the three PM2.5 groups, which negatively related to the number of embryos，as well as Sb level. There was no significant change in pathology of uterine or ovarian tissue. Conclusions：PM2.5 could impair the fertility of female rats, and the increased As and Sb levels could be related to the reproductive toxicity. BaP impairs the viability of implanted embryos.

Key words: Air pollutants, Reproduction, Metals，heavy, Animal experimentation, PM2.5