A nationwide research study by Indira IVF suggests worsening air pollution could be contributing to declining sperm DNA health among men in urban areas.
The study found that men living in regions with AQI levels above 151 recorded an 11% drop in normal sperm integrity compared to those in cleaner environments.
Researchers analysed 3,222 men aged between 21 and 40 across 120 Indira IVF centres nationwide, focusing specifically on sperm DNA integrity rather than traditional semen parameters.
According to the study, 69.3% of sperm samples were normal in areas with AQI levels between 50 and 100, but the proportion declined as pollution levels increased.
In moderately polluted regions with AQI levels between 101 and 150, normal sperm levels fell by 8.8%, while in highly polluted areas (AQI above 151) the decline reached 11%.
Commenting on the research, Dr. Kshitiz Murdia, CEO & Whole-Time Director, Indira IVF Hospital Limited, said, “The implications of these findings go beyond conception challenges. Prolonged exposure to pollution can affect sperm DNA integrity, which may also affect foetal development. In this study, patients were categorised based on sperm DNA fragmentation scores, with normal defined as less than 25% fragmentation and abnormal as greater than 25%, allowing us to closely assess how different air quality levels impact sperm chromosome integrity. Our observations suggest that rising air pollution levels can serve as a reliable indicator for disturbed sperm DNA fragmentation, significantly impacting Sperm DNA integrity, more-so in high-pollution urban centres.”
Dr. Vipin Chandra, Chief of Clinical and Lab Operations, Indira IVF Hospital Limited said, “We analysed a statistically significant cohort of 3,222 men aged 21 to 40 across 120 Indira IVF centres nationwide. Rather than focusing on conventional semen parameters such as sperm count or motility, the study specifically examined sperm DNA integrity. This enabled a more precise assessment of how exposure to air pollution directly impacts the genetic structure of sperm, offering deeper insight into an often-overlooked contributor to male infertility.”
These findings align with the growing burden of male infertility observed in recent years in highly polluted urban areas.