According to a recent study done by Rutgers University researchers, prenatal exposure to common air pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen oxide may have a substantial influence on sperm quality and raise the likelihood of disorders affecting the male reproductive system.
The anogenital distance can suggest reproductive health, hormone levels, low sperm quality, infertility, and challenges in developing fetuses and babies. Hence, it was researched. The anogenital distance, or the gap between the anus and the genitalia, is a predictor of the testosterone effect during pregnancy.
According to biostatistics and epidemiology specialist Professor Emily Barrett of the Rutgers School of Public Health, shorter anogenital lengths may imply less testosterone action throughout fetal development. This might have long-term consequences for fertility and reproductive health. Â
Previous research has linked exposure to chemicals like PFAS and phthalates to decreased sperm quality, so the timing of this study couldn’t be better. The concentration of sperm has dropped by around 51% over the last three decades, according to a recent Rutgers study, and air pollution, notably PM2.5, may be to blame. Â
Cancer, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular disease are only a few of the ailments linked to PM2.5. Wildfire smoke, factory pollution, and diesel exhaust are all significant contributors. The Environmental Protection Agency is contemplating easing PM2.5 ambient air standards as evidence of its danger at lower levels becomes clear. Â
Nitrous oxide, a common pollutant, has been related to heart disease, impaired lung development in children, asthma, and other breathing problems. Congestion from industry and automobiles might be to blame. This study used data from a study that tracked 700 pregnant women and their kids over time. Researchers matched TIDES data with air pollution levels in individuals’ home districts to find a correlation between higher PM2.5 exposure during the “male programming window” in the first trimester and more considerable anogenital distance. Â
There is a strong correlation between the amount of testosterone produced by a male fetus during this gestation period and the size of his anogenital distance when he is born. PM2.5 exposure during the “mini puberty” phase of early infancy was also linked to a shorter anogenital distance in boys at one year of age. Other pollutants that interfere with hormone synthesis, such as cadmium and lead, may also be carried by PM2.5. Â
Despite the fact that women were excluded from the study, Barrett found that those with greater anogenital distances were more likely to develop polycystic ovarian syndrome. Expectant mothers should stay indoors or use N95 masks when air pollution levels are high to safeguard their unborn infants. Filters having a MERV 13 rating for furnaces are excellent at minimizing indoor air pollution. Â
Barrett contends that rather than depending exclusively on human efforts for protection, governments and authorities should take more significant action to prevent air pollution. The findings of this study demonstrate the critical need to address air quality as a worldwide public health issue. Â
News Reference Â
Prenatal exposure to air pollution may hurt reproductive health in adult men, study finds. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/25/air-pollution-impacting-pregnancy-mens-reproductive-health
