New Delhi: For years, conversations around polluted air have revolved around coughs, breathlessness, and smog-filled skylines. Yet, in fertility clinics, another story has been unfolding quietly. Couples who have no obvious medical issues are finding themselves struggling to conceive, and one of the strongest common threads running through these cases is prolonged exposure to poor air quality.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr Shivika Gupta, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Gurgaon Sec- 51, spoke about how air quality can affect fertility in men and women.
What the evidence has been indicating
Over the past decade, research groups across the globe have been piecing the puzzle together. One of the earliest signals came from a 2017 systematic review in Environmental Health Perspectives, which noted that particulate matter and traffic-related pollutants interfere with sperm and egg formation. A later study from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health strengthened this link by showing that women exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 had significantly lower chances of conception in any given cycle.
There is equally compelling work on the male side as well. Research has found measurable drops in sperm motility and higher rates of DNA fragmentation in men living in areas with chronic particulate pollution. Some studies also showed a fall in semen volume. These findings aren’t abstract numbers—they mirror exactly what doctors are seeing in younger men today.
How polluted air affects reproductive biology
Air pollution affects fertility through multiple biological pathways. Fine particulate matter can enter the bloodstream, trigger oxidative stress, and interfere with hormone signaling.
Among men, this often appears as
- Reduced sperm quality: Prolonged exposure, combined with unhealthy lifestyle habits aggravated by pollution, has led to more men presenting with sluggish motility and poorer semen parameters
- Hormonal disruption: Chemicals such as BPA and phthalates can mimic hormones and suppress testosterone, affecting sperm production
- DNA damage: Oxidative stress can break DNA strands in sperm cells, increasing infertility risk and, in some cases, the chances of abnormalities
Among women, pollution can lead to:
- Endocrine disruption: Altered hormone levels can influence ovulation, cycle regularity, and reproductive readiness
- Reduced egg quality and ovarian reserve: Long-term exposure may gradually diminish egg health, making conception more difficult
- Higher miscarriage risk: Several studies have linked polluted environments with increased pregnancy loss
Long-term implications
Pollution doesn’t just affect present fertility—it may influence future generations. Evidence suggests that certain pollutants can cause epigenetic changes, altering how genes are expressed. Some studies also point to delayed puberty in offspring, indicating deeper, intergenerational consequences.
Why couples should pay attention
In cities where air quality dips sharply for months at a time, fertility should be looked at from a lens wider than just biological. For couples preparing for IVF or planning pregnancy, being mindful of exposure, especially during the weeks when eggs and sperm are developing, can make a difference. Simple steps such as monitoring AQI levels, using indoor purifiers, or avoiding heavy traffic during peak pollution days can help.
Science is still evolving, but one thing is already clear—polluted air is shaping reproductive health far more than once imagined. Couples deserve to know this early enough to act, protect their fertility, and plan their path forward with clarity.