Pune, known for its rapid urbanization and burgeoning IT sector, has witnessed a concerning rise in pollution levels over the years. Pollution’s effects extend beyond respiratory and cardiovascular health, increasingly impacting areas that are less commonly discussed—such as male fertility. Globally, male fertility is declining, with pollutants being a significant contributor.

This article explores whether Pune’s escalating pollution poses a threat to men’s fertility, backed by science and actionable solutions.

Understanding Fertility in Men

Male fertility refers to a man’s ability to father a child. Male fertility depends largely on the health of sperm, assessed through three main factors:

1. Sperm Count: The total number of sperm in one ejaculation. A low sperm count (known as Oligospermia) makes it harder to conceive naturally.
2. Sperm Motility: The ability of sperm to swim effectively towards the egg. Poor motility (called Asthenospermia) can hinder fertilization.
3. Sperm Morphology: The shape and structure of sperm. Abnormal shapes (Teratozoospermia) reduce the sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg.

Other specific conditions can also impact sperm health, such as:

• Azoospermia: Complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, often caused by blockages or issues with sperm production.
• Varicocele: Enlarged veins in the scrotum that can raise testicular temperature, reducing sperm quality.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Low testosterone or other hormonal disruptions that affect sperm production.

These issues can be influenced by factors like age, genetics, diet, stress, and lifestyle choices (e.g., smoking, alcohol use). Environmental factors, particularly rising pollution levels, are increasingly recognized as a major concern.

In urban areas like Pune, pollutants in the air, water, and even food can contribute to these conditions, further impacting male fertility.

How Pollution Affects Male Fertility?

Research has shown that pollution can seriously affect male fertility by harming sperm quality and disrupting the body’s natural processes. There are different ways in which pollution, particularly from harmful substances in the environment, can impact male reproductive health.

1. Air Pollutants (PM2.5 and PM10)

In cities like Pune, where pollution levels are high, tiny particles from car exhaust, industrial activity, and construction dust (known as particulate matter, or PM) can get into the air. These particles can be as small as 2.5 microns (PM2.5) or 10 microns (PM10).

When inhaled, these particles enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. This can lead to oxidative stress, which means an imbalance in the body that damages cells, including those responsible for sperm production. As a result, sperm motility (the ability of sperm to move) and count (the number of sperm produced) can decrease, making it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg.

2. Toxins and Heavy Metals

Pollution from factories, industrial waste, and contaminated water can release harmful substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury into the environment. These substances are toxic to the body and, when absorbed over time, can affect sperm production.

They also interfere with the body’s hormone levels, including testosterone, which is essential for sperm production and sexual health. Lead and cadmium, in particular, have been linked to testicular damage, while mercury can cause DNA damage in sperm, leading to a higher risk of infertility.

3. Endocrine Disruptors

Certain chemicals found in polluted air and water, like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), are known as endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can imitate or block natural hormones in the body. They especially affect testosterone, a key hormone needed for sperm development. By interfering with testosterone production, these chemicals can prevent sperm from maturing properly, thus harming overall male reproductive health.

Over the years, Pune has seen rapid growth, with more people moving to the city and industries expanding. While this urban development has brought economic progress, it has also contributed to an increase in pollution levels. Let’s take a closer look at how the pollution in Pune is evolving and the effects it has on the environment and human health, especially male fertility.

• Air Quality in Pune

Pune’s air quality has been steadily deteriorating, primarily due to vehicular emissions, construction activities, and industrial emissions.

• PM2.5 and PM10 are tiny particles found in the air that can easily enter the lungs and bloodstream when inhaled. These particles are dangerous because they cause oxidative stress in the body, which harms cells involved in sperm production.Over time, exposure to these pollutants can lead to lower sperm count, reduced sperm motility, and other fertility-related issues.
• Vehicular emissions are one of the largest contributors to air pollution in Pune, accounting for almost 67% of the pollution. As the number of vehicles on the road increases, so does the amount of exhaust, leading to higher levels of harmful particles like PM2.5 and PM10.
• Construction dust is another significant problem. With Pune’s rapid expansion, new buildings, roads, and infrastructure projects are underway. These activities release a lot of fine dust into the air, which contributes to the city’s overall pollution levels. These dust particles can harm the respiratory system and negatively affect male fertility by causing inflammation and disrupting the hormonal system.
• Industrial emissions also play a big role. Factories in and around Pune release chemicals and particulate matter into the air, which can affect sperm quality by causing oxidative damage to sperm cells.

Water pollution is another growing issue in Pune. Many of the rivers, including the Mula-Mutha River, are severely contaminated due to untreated sewage and industrial effluents being dumped into the water.

• Industrial effluents often contain harmful chemicals like heavy metals and toxic substances that can enter the water supply. When these contaminants are ingested, either directly through drinking water or indirectly through the food chain, they can have serious consequences on health, including male reproductive health.
• The high levels of untreated sewage in the water further worsen the situation, as this sewage contains bacteria, chemicals, and other harmful substances that can affect fertility.

Sources of Pollution in Pune

Several key sources contribute to the rising pollution levels in Pune:

1. Vehicle Emissions: The city’s growing population and increased vehicle usage are a major source of air pollution. In fact, 67% of Pune’s air pollution comes from vehicle emissions, as more people rely on cars and two-wheelers for commuting.
2. Construction Dust: With Pune rapidly urbanizing, large-scale construction projects are common. These activities generate a lot of airborne dust particles, which contribute to the pollution levels. The dust can cause respiratory issues and negatively affect male fertility by damaging sperm quality.

3.Industrial Pollution: Pune is home to many industrial zones, which release harmful chemicals and pollutants into the air and water. These pollutants can directly impact the reproductive system, reducing sperm quality and overall fertility.

Pollution in Pune has a direct and harmful impact on male fertility, with specific factors that make the city’s pollution particularly dangerous for men’s reproductive health. Here’s a breakdown of how pollution in Pune affects male fertility:

1. Vehicular Pollution

Pune has high levels of vehicular pollution, mainly from the exhaust fumes of cars, buses, and two-wheelers. These emissions release harmful gases like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the air. These pollutants can:

• Reduce testicular function: The gases cause oxidative stress in the body. This means that harmful molecules called free radicals outnumber the protective antioxidants in the body, damaging cells, including those in the reproductive system.
• Sperm damage: This oxidative stress can specifically affect the cells responsible for producing sperm, leading to poor sperm quality, low count, and reduced motility (the ability of sperm to move).

2. Industrial Effluents

Pune also has a number of industries that release industrial waste into the environment. One harmful substance often found in industrial emissions is cadmium, a heavy metal. Prolonged exposure to cadmium can:

• Damage sperm DNA: Cadmium can harm the genetic material in sperm cells, making them less functional. This not only lowers fertility but may also affect the health of the offspring in the long term.
• Lower sperm quality: With damaged DNA, sperm may have reduced ability to fertilize an egg, leading to challenges in conceiving.

3. Urbanization Stress

Pune’s rapid growth and urbanization are increasing the number of people in the city, while green spaces are shrinking. This creates additional problems like:

• Increased exposure to heat and pollutants: As the city becomes more crowded and the number of vehicles and industries rises, the amount of heat and pollutants in the air increases. This is harmful to sperm health because heat can reduce sperm viability, making it harder for sperm to survive and fertilize an egg.
• Stress: Living in an overcrowded city can also increase stress levels, which is another factor that can affect hormone production and sperm health.

While pollution might seem inescapable, several measures can reduce its impact on male fertility. Here’s what men in Pune can do:

• Personal Measures

1. Healthy Diet
   Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, which are rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and E. These neutralize free radicals and improve sperm quality.
2. Regular Exercise
   Engage in moderate physical activities such as jogging or yoga to boost testosterone levels and improve hormonal balance.
3. Hydration
   Drink filtered water to ensure toxins like heavy metals are avoided.

• Protective Measures

1. Masks
   Wear N95 masks when outdoors to reduce inhalation of fine pollutants.
2. Air Purifiers
   Invest in air purifiers for indoor spaces to minimize exposure to household air pollution.
3. Timing Outdoor Activities
   Avoid outdoor activities during peak pollution hours, especially near high-traffic areas.

• Community Efforts

1. Advocate for sustainable urban planning, which includes measures to curb vehicular pollution.
2. Participate in initiatives like tree-planting drives and river cleaning campaigns.
3. Support and demand stricter waste management and industrial regulation policies.

Adopting these strategies can help mitigate the personal and community impact of pollution on fertility.

Men who suspect infertility due to pollution exposure should watch for these warning signs:

• Persistent difficulty in conceiving.
• Decline in sexual health (e.g., low libido, erectile issues).
• Noticeable hormonal imbalances (e.g., fatigue, mood swings).
• Testicular discomfort or abnormalities.

If any of these signs occur, timely consultation with a fertility specialist in pune is vital. Experts like Dr. Supriya Puranik can perform tests such as semen analysis and hormonal profiling to diagnose and treat underlying issues.

1. Can air pollution directly reduce sperm quality?
Yes, pollutants like PM2.5 and heavy metals are proven to impair sperm motility and lower sperm count.

2. What are the specific pollutants affecting fertility in men?
Particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, cadmium, lead, and BPA are among the most harmful substances.

3. Are there any studies linking air quality in Pune to fertility issues?
While specific studies on Pune may be scarce, global research strongly correlates urban pollution with male infertility.

4. How does water pollution affect male fertility?
Contaminants in water, such as heavy metals and endocrine disruptors, disrupt hormonal systems and damage sperm DNA.

5. Can lifestyle changes mitigate the effects of pollution on fertility?
Yes, adopting a healthy lifestyle and protective measures can significantly counter the adverse effects of pollution.

6. Is infertility caused by pollution reversible?
Often, with improved lifestyle choices and medical intervention, fertility can improve over time.

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• About Author

  Dr. Supriya Puranik

  Gynaecologist & IVF Specialist

Dr. Supriya Puranik, a renowned gynaecologist and infertility expert, leads the IVF & Gynaecology department at Sahyadri Hospitals Momstory in Shivaji Nagar, Pune. She is committed to helping couples overcome infertility challenges.