Exposure to chemical pollutants from the mother’s womb, along with certain lifestyle habits, are the factors that may be influencing the decline in the number of sperm in men’s semen, according to the specialists consulted.
Nicolás Olea, doctor, researcher and one of the most recognized experts in endocrine disruptors, assures that “exposure to high temperatures and atmospheric pollution have a significant impact on fertility and sperm quality” because the male reproductive organs “they are particularly susceptible to exposure to environmental chemicals”.
At the University of Panama, where he currently works as a visiting professor, Olea explains to La Vanguardia that “it has been documented that environmental pollution affects the quality of the semen, it damages the process of spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and the functionality of the cells Sertoli cells and sperm functions, which leads to a decrease in fertility”.
He adds that there are also studies that have shown an association between maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors such as pesticides, bisphenols, phthalates and heavy metals during pregnancy and a low volume of ejaculated semen and sperm count in children.
“It is suspected that xenoestrogens, endocrine disruptors, could be influencing infertility, but also the increased cases of cryptorchidism (a bad descent of the testicles) and testicular cancer that we see, but it is difficult to have evidence about their effects because the person cannot be completely isolated from environmental pollutants in order to have a control group with which to compare”, comments andrologist Lluís Bassas.
Olea admits that there is little data on the real effect of chemicals on male fertility because the studies have been done with people from environments where pesticides or other substances are in very high concentrations and not in the general population. However, he believes that even if more research is needed, there are indications that it is necessary to “inform pregnant women about the potential dangers of chemical substances that during pregnancy can harm the fertility of their children”. And he is convinced that aspects such as reducing atmospheric and chemical pollution, exposure to heat or introducing some positive lifestyle changes are key to preventing adverse effects on semen quality.
