Research suggests air pollution harms male fertility

Air pollution comprises a complex mix of particulate and gaseous agents, including fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen oxides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, that penetrate the respiratory system and exert systemic effects. In men, chronic exposure disrupts spermatogenesis and impairs semen quality through oxidative stress, endocrine perturbation and direct genotoxicity. Elevated reactive oxygen species overwhelm antioxidant defences, leading to lipid peroxidation of sperm membranes and DNA strand breaks. Airborne toxins can also act as endocrine disruptors, altering testosterone synthesis and disturbing the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Epidemiological studies have documented declines in sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology among populations residing in heavily polluted regions, with evidence of seasonal variation correlating with peaks in ambient pollutants. Animal experiments corroborate these findings, demonstrating compromised testicular histology and reduced fertility indices. The global burden of subfertility linked to air pollution underscores the need for regulatory measures and targeted interventions to safeguard male reproductive health.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-s-take--6662936/support.