Impacts of environmental pollutants and environmentally transmitted parasites on male fertility and sperm quality

• Published in: Discover applied sciences Vol. 7; no. 9; pp. 961 - 24
• Main Authors: Mansour, Hend Abd El-Halim, Sadek, Al- Shaimaa Mohsen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.09.2025; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Air pollution; Applied and Technical Physics; Chemicals; Chemistry/Food Science; Cysts; DNA fragmentation; DNA methylation; DNA repair; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Environment; Environmental factors; Environmental impact; Environmental pollutions; Environmental risk; Environmentally transmitted parasites (ETPs); Epigenetics; Fertility; Health promotion; Infertility; Male fertility; Males; Materials Science; Metabolism; Morphology; Motility; Nitrogen dioxide; Oxidative stress; Parasites; Parasitic diseases; Pesticides; Physiology; Pollutants; Polymorphism; Public health; Radiation; Reproductive health; Review; Risk factors; Sanitation; Soil fertility; Sperm; Sperm quality; Spermatogenesis; Toxins; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Environmental pollutions; Air pollution; Sperm quality; Male fertility; Pollutants; Environmentally transmitted parasites (ETPs)
• ISSN: 3004-9261; 2523-3963; 3004-9261; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-025-07400-8

Male infertility has become a growing concern in recent years, with various modifiable environmental pollutants and environmentally transmitted parasites (ETPs) playing a significant role in its development. Sperm quality is directly influenced by external factors, which ultimately impact male reproductive health. This review examines the effects of specific environmental pollutants and ETPs on male infertility. Key environmental contributors include air pollution, pesticides, harmful chemicals, excessive heat, and radiation, while parasitic infections further exacerbate the problem. These factors have been shown to reduce sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, and viability, while also increasing abnormal sperm morphology and sperm DNA fragmentation. Collectively, these changes impair male fertility, leading to an increased risk of infertility. Despite their detrimental effects, these environmental risk factors are modifiable and reversible. Implementing lifestyle modifications, reducing exposure to environmental pollutants, and improving public health interventions can help mitigate their impact. This highlights the importance of awareness, preventive measures, and potential therapeutic strategies to preserve and enhance male fertility. Article Highlights Combined exposure to pollutants and parasites poses a serious risk to male reproductive function. Environmental toxins and infections impair sperm count, motility, morphology, and genetic integrity. Fertility risks from environmental factors can be mitigated through awareness and lifestyle changes.