Air pollution is a widespread problem that has been affecting the world for decades. It is caused by a combination of natural processes and human activities, with the latter being the most significant contributor to this problem.

Air pollution can have severe and long-lasting effects on human health, not just respiratory diseases, heart failure, and cancer, but also on reproductive health, especially the male reproductive system.

What is Male Infertility?

Male infertility is defined as the inability of a man to impregnate his partner after trying for one year, and this can be due to various reasons such as low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, or testicular problems.

The male reproductive system comprises different components: testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands.

These organs work together to produce and transport sperm, the male sex cells, and other reproductive fluids.

Causes of Male Infertility

Multiple factors can contribute to male infertility. These can include genetics, infections or diseases, hormonal imbalances, exposure to toxins and chemicals, and lifestyle choices, including smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet and exercise.

Environmental exposure to air pollution is a lesser-known but increasing concern because of its adverse effect on male fertility.

The Effect of Air Pollution on Male Infertility

Air pollution contains a mixture of gases, particles, and chemicals that can interact with the male reproductive system, causing adverse effects on reproductive health.

An increasing amount of research is highlighting the relationship between air pollution and male infertility.

Low Sperm Count and Air Pollution

One significant effect of air pollution on male infertility is in the decline of sperm count. Sperm count, the number of sperm in the semen, is essential to male fertility.

Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution is detrimental and can cause a decrease in sperm count owing to the accumulation of toxic chemicals in the testes and epididymis.

A study conducted by the University of Chinese Medicine in Shanghai found that men living in areas with high air pollution levels had significantly lower sperm counts than those who lived in areas with cleaner air.

Another study in Iran also found a direct correlation between air pollution and low sperm count, indicating that the decline of sperm count was related to the number of pollutants they were exposed to.

Sperm Morphology and Air Pollution

Sperm morphology describes the shape of the sperm cell. Proper sperm morphology is essential because irregularly shaped sperm cells are less able to swim and fertilize an egg. Air pollution has been shown to affect the morphology of sperm cells.

A study in India showed that men exposed to high levels of air pollution had a higher prevalence of sperm abnormalities than those who faced lesser pollution exposure.

Sperm Motility and Air Pollution

Sperm motility refers to the ability of sperm to move efficiently through the reproductive tract and reach the egg for fertilization. Air pollution can also affect sperm motility by impairing their ability to swim.

A study in China found that men living in areas with high levels of air pollution had reduced sperm motility compared to counterparts who lived in low pollution areas.

Air Pollution and DNA Damage in Sperm

Apart from impairing sperm count and quality, air pollution can also cause damage to the DNA in the sperm cells. Damaged DNA can lead to infertility or contribute to issues in offspring, such as birth defects or genetic disorders.

A study conducted by the University of Southern California found that men exposed to higher levels of particulate air pollution had higher rates of sperm DNA damage than men who were exposed to lower levels.

Conclusion

Air pollution is a growing problem that affects human health in various ways, including male infertility.

Studies have demonstrated that exposure to air pollution can cause low sperm count, impaired sperm morphology, and motility, and DNA damage to sperm cells. If these effects remain unchecked, they could lead to infertility issues in males.

Addressing air pollution and taking steps to reduce pollutants is not just necessary for environmental sustainability but to preserve health and our ability to reproduce as well.