Decrease in Sperm Parameters in the 21st Century: Obesity, Lifestyle, or Environmental Factors? An Updated Narrative Review.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_75A41A36D102
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Decrease in Sperm Parameters in the 21st Century: Obesity, Lifestyle, or Environmental Factors? An Updated Narrative Review.
Journal
Journal of personalized medicine
Author(s)
Sciorio R., Tramontano L., Adel M., Fleming S.
ISSN
2075-4426 (Print)
ISSN-L
2075-4426
Publication state
Published
Issued date
11/02/2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
14
Number
2
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Review
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
Semen quality represents a compelling factor for fertility, and delineating the normal values has proven difficult. In the last four decades, several authors have reported a noticeable decline in sperm parameters. Also, studies investigating 'time to pregnancy' have shown that fecundity begins to be reduced when sperm numbers decrease below 30 million, even though according to the 6th edition of the WHO manual, the normal value is currently 16 million/mL or 39 million per ejaculate. There exists sufficient data to suggest a decline in sperm counts over time, even though the clear reason for this adverse trend is not well established, but some associations have been hypothesised, such as maternal smoking during pregnancy. Additional potential factors have yet to be fully illustrated but involve poor diet, increased obesity, and exposure to environmental toxins. Moreover, the change in environmental conditions and more common exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as bisphenol A, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls, and heavy metals, starting from prenatal life and continuing into adulthood, may exhibit probable features explaining the reduction in sperm parameters. Therefore, the main goal of this narrative review is to furnish an overview of the possible effects of exposure to EDCs on testicular function and spermatogenesis and, also, to summarise the evidence regarding a decrease in sperm quality and examine its potential consequences.
Keywords
environmental toxins: bisphenol A and phthalates, lifestyle, male infertility, obesity, oxidative stress, sperm parameters
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
26/02/2024 14:29
Last modification date
12/03/2024 8:08
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