Indira IVF Study Links High Air Pollution to 11% Decline in Sperm DNA Integrity, Raising Male Fertility Concerns
A study conducted by Indira IVF has found that men residing in regions with air quality index (AQI) levels above 151 show an 11% decline in normal sperm DNA integrity, highlighting the growing impact of environmental pollution on reproductive health.
Research based on analysis of 3,222 men across India highlights growing reproductive health risks in polluted urban regions
Mumbai: Rising air pollution levels may be contributing to declining male fertility in India, with new research indicating that men living in highly polluted areas experience significantly higher levels of sperm DNA damage compared to those in cleaner environments.
A study conducted by Indira IVF has found that men residing in regions with air quality index (AQI) levels above 151 show an 11% decline in normal sperm DNA integrity, highlighting the growing impact of environmental pollution on reproductive health.
The research, titled “Evaluating the impact of environmental pollution on sperm DNA fragmentation: A retrospective cohort analysis,” examined the relationship between air pollution exposure and sperm DNA fragmentation — a key indicator of genetic health and fertility potential.
Pollution levels linked to rising infertility risks
The study introduces the concept of “pollution bias,” suggesting that worsening air quality may be directly linked to increasing rates of male infertility.
Researchers observed that as atmospheric pollution levels increase in industrialised and urban regions, there is a corresponding decline in normal sperm integrity and a rise in abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation.
The findings show that in areas with relatively cleaner air (AQI between 50 and 100), about 69.3% of sperm samples were classified as normal, while 30.7% were abnormal.
However, the proportion of normal sperm decreased as pollution levels increased. In moderately polluted areas (AQI 101–150), normal sperm levels declined by 8.8%, while in highly polluted regions (AQI above 151) the drop reached 11%, indicating a strong association between pollution exposure and sperm DNA damage.
Large nationwide dataset analysed
The research analysed a cohort of 3,222 men aged between 21 and 40 from 120 Indira IVF centres across India, providing one of the broader datasets examining environmental factors affecting male fertility in the country.
Instead of focusing on traditional semen parameters such as sperm count or motility, the study specifically examined sperm DNA fragmentation, which reflects damage to the genetic material carried by sperm cells.
This approach allowed researchers to assess how environmental toxins may affect the underlying genetic integrity of sperm, a factor that can influence both conception success and embryo development.
Potential implications for foetal health
According to the researchers, the impact of pollution on sperm DNA integrity could extend beyond fertility challenges.
Kshitiz Murdia, Chief Executive Officer and whole-time director of Indira IVF Hospital Limited, said environmental toxins can affect sperm chromosome structure, which may also influence foetal development.
“The implications of these findings extend beyond challenges related to conception. Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins can affect sperm DNA integrity, which may also have a bearing on foetal development,” Murdia said.
In the study, sperm DNA fragmentation levels were classified using international standards, with less than 25% fragmentation considered normal and values above 25% classified as abnormal, enabling researchers to compare fertility outcomes across different pollution exposure levels.
Growing public health concern
The researchers note that the rising burden of male infertility observed in recent years appears to closely mirror the deterioration in air quality in many urban centres.
With air pollution already associated with respiratory disease, cardiovascular risks and reduced life expectancy, the study adds reproductive health to the list of potential long-term impacts of environmental pollution.
Experts say the findings highlight the need for stronger public health interventions to address air pollution, not only for environmental protection but also for safeguarding reproductive health outcomes.
As urbanisation and industrialisation continue to intensify across India, researchers warn that addressing environmental toxicity may become an increasingly important factor in tackling the country’s growing infertility challenges.
