Polluted Air Linked to Plummeting Fertility Rates Across India

According to a recent report, the dangerously high levels of air pollution in India, particularly in the northern regions, are posing a grave threat to the country's fertility and reproductive health. The article explains that exposure to various air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, is causing significant damage to the reproductive systems of both men and women.

For women, these pollutants are found to reduce the ovarian reserve, lower anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, and decrease the number of antral follicles - all of which are crucial indicators of fertility. The pollutants also disrupt the normal functioning of reproductive hormones, leading to menstrual irregularities and reduced chances of successful implantation during pregnancy. Additionally, exposure to these hazardous chemicals increases the risk of spontaneous miscarriages and stillbirths.

The situation is equally dire for men, as the article highlights. Air pollutants, especially PM2.5, are shown to negatively impact sperm quality, reducing motility and causing structural abnormalities. Ozone and other pollutants also contribute to a decline in overall sperm count and testosterone levels, further compromising male fertility.

Experts warn that the cumulative impact of this "environmental fertility loop" can have far-reaching consequences, potentially endangering future generations. They emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the air pollution crisis and protect the reproductive health of the population.