Effects of Environmental Pollutants on the Male Reproductive System

Abstract

Exposure to environmental pollution has been associated with adverse health problems and its impact on the reproductive organs and gametes. In addition, limited research has been done to examine the relationship between air pollution and male reproductive outcomes, particularly semen quality. We conducted a systematic review (until September 2020) to assess the impact of environmental and occupational exposure to environmental pollution on semen quality. Epidemiological studies focusing on environmental pollution and male reproduction, PubMed, Medline, Google documents were identified by scanning the literature bases. Numerous studies evaluating the effects of environmental pollutants (PM2.5, SO2, NOx, O3, Phalats, Cadmium, lead, Endocrine distrubing chemicals, electromagnetic contamination, temperature increase) on main semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology), spermatogenesis, DNA fragmentation and semen toxicology, endocrine parameters were included. When the studies were evaluated, it was seen that there were important results supporting the evidence that environmental pollution can affect sperm DNA fragmentation, morphology and motility, and the spermatogenesis process.

In summary, most studies have concluded that indoor and outdoor pollution affects male fertility. Cell culture and molecular studies will further reveal the importance of the subject.