The Impact of Prenatal Air Pollution on Male Reproductive Health: New Study Findings

2023-11-26 00:19:57

Sunday 26/November/2023 – 02:18 AM

A new study shows that prenatal exposure to air pollution of the fetus harms the reproductive health of male children, according to The Guardian.

Exposure to air pollution harms reproductive health

The researchers explained that swallowing particles leads to a shortening of the distance between the anus and the reproductive organs in the uterus, which is a sign of decreased testosterone activity.

A new study finds that in-utero exposure to common air pollutants may reduce semen quality and increase the risk of reproductive system diseases in men.

The Rutger University study looked at whether exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxide might lead to a shortening of the distance between the anus and the genitals, or anogenital distance, in fetuses and newborns.

The researchers explained that the anogenital distance is a marker of reproductive health related to hormone levels, low semen quality, fertility and reproductive disorders, and the research has identified a possible link between it and exposure to pollutants.

Results

“When we see lower anogenital lengths, that tells us that there is less testosterone activity in the uterus, and that may have implications for fertility and reproductive health in the future,” said Emily Barrett, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at Rutgers School of General Sciences, and an author of the study.

She added: These results come amid growing concern regarding the global decline in semen quality, which has so far been linked to exposure to other toxins such as PFAS and phthalates, and sperm concentration levels have decreased by 51% in recent decades.

They confirmed that PM2.5 is among the most common and well-studied air pollutants, and is linked to cancer, respiratory and circulatory diseases, and common sources include diesel exhaust, heavy industry emissions, and forest fires, and the Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to lower the limits of ambient air as evidence of it becomes available when… Exposure to it is more noticeable.

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