New Delhi: The alarming pollution levels in the northern regions of India have drawn widespread attention to their effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health. However, what remains less discussed is the hidden but profound impact of pollution on reproductive health and fertility. Emerging evidence highlights how the toxins in polluted air affect both men and women, impairing their ability to conceive and contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
How does poor AQI affect fertility?
Talking about the impact of poor AQI, Dr Madhulika Sharma, Birla Fertility & IVF, Meerut, said, “Women’s reproductive health is especially vulnerable to pollution. Airborne toxins such as particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and formaldehyde can trigger the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. ROS are highly reactive molecules that lead to oxidative stress, in which the body defences against free radicals are overwhelmed, causing cellular damage.”
The expert went on to talk about how oxidative stress is particularly detrimental to oocytes (eggs). It damages mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, which play a crucial role in energy production and ensuring the quality of eggs. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to impaired egg development and can interfere with spindle formation, a key process during cell division. This disruption can cause aneuploidy, an abnormal number of chromosomes in eggs, which is a major factor in miscarriages, infertility, and genetic conditions like Down syndrome.
Beyond oxidative stress, long-term exposure to pollutants can disrupt hormonal balance, affecting ovulation and menstrual cycles. Women exposed to high levels of air pollution may face greater difficulty in conceiving and are at increased risk of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and stillbirth.
Male Fertility: A Growing Concern
Men are not immune to the reproductive impacts of pollution. Common air pollutants, including benzene, PAHs, and formaldehyde, directly affect the processes of spermatogenesis (sperm production) and steroidogenesis (hormone production). These toxins reduce sperm count, impair motility, and lead to abnormal sperm morphology, all of which are critical for successful fertilisation.
Pollutants induce oxidative stress and inflammation in the testes, causing structural and functional damage to sperm. This results in reduced sperm quality and DNA fragmentation, increasing the chances of failed fertilisation or early pregnancy loss. Hormonal disruptions caused by exposure to toxins can also lower testosterone levels, further compromising male fertility. Studies have linked pollution to an overall decline in global sperm counts over the past few decades, emphasising the urgency of addressing environmental factors in reproductive health.
Impact on Foetal Development and Pregnancy
Pollution’s effects extend beyond conception, affecting intrauterine foetal development and pregnancy outcomes. Toxic pollutants can cross the placenta, exposing the developing foetus to harmful substances. These exposures can impair foetal growth, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm birth, and low birth weight.
Certain pollutants, like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, reduce oxygen availability to the foetus, hindering normal development. Additionally, long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of congenital abnormalities, developmental delays, and stillbirths.
Raising Awareness and Taking Action
Despite these concerning impacts, the connection between pollution and reproductive health remains underreported. Raising awareness about this issue is essential to drive change. Policymakers must prioritise stricter air quality regulations and invest in cleaner energy sources to reduce the prevalence of harmful pollutants. At the same time, individuals can take steps to protect themselves by using air purifiers, wearing masks in polluted areas, and consuming antioxidant-rich foods to combat oxidative stress.
Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in addressing this issue by incorporating environmental factors into fertility assessments. Fertility specialists can offer guidance on lifestyle modifications, antioxidant therapies, and advanced treatments like assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to counteract pollution-induced infertility.
Conclusion
The invisible threat of air pollution to reproductive health is a critical issue that deserves immediate attention. While respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are widely recognised consequences of pollution, their role in infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes remains less explored but equally significant. Addressing this challenge requires collaborative efforts at the governmental, healthcare, and individual levels to ensure that the reproductive health of current and future generations is protected.
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