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US Study Links Air Pollution to Changes in Male Sperm DNA

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A US study suggests air pollution may affect male sperm DNA, causing subtle changes in gene expression.
  • Researchers tracked over 2,000 men, linking exposure to common pollutants like ozone and nitrogen dioxide during sperm development to these DNA changes.
  • The findings, presented at a European conference, add to growing evidence that air pollution could harm male fertility, though the exact biological mechanisms require further study.

Air pollution's potential to harm male fertility is under renewed scrutiny following a US study that links exposure to common pollutants with subtle changes in sperm DNA. The research, presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in London, tracked more than 2,000 men in Salt Lake City, Utah, between 2013 and 2017.

Researchers analyzed semen samples provided by participants and estimated their exposure to outdoor air pollutants, including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and fine particulate matter, in the three months prior to each sample. This period corresponds to the sperm generation cycle.

The study found that exposure to air pollution during sperm development was associated with specific changes in sperm DNA, affecting gene expression. Ozone and nitrogen dioxide showed the strongest links to these alterations. Carrie Nobles, an epidemiologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who led the study, stated that "our findings suggest that exposure to air pollution during the critical window of sperm development may be associated with changes in sperm DNA."

our findings suggest that exposure to air pollution during the critical window of sperm development may be associated with changes in sperm DNA.

— Carrie NoblesCarrie Nobles, an epidemiologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who led the study, commented on the findings linking air pollution exposure during sperm development to DNA changes.

While a growing body of evidence suggests air pollution may reduce male fertility, the biological mechanisms remain unclear. This latest research points to "DNA methylation", chemical tags on DNA that can influence gene activity without altering the DNA sequence, as a potential pathway. The team identified 39 DNA changes linked to exposure to multiple air pollutants in 1,220 participants after six months of follow-up.

"Changes in gene expression could potentially affect male fertility, so research in this area is important," Nobles added, emphasizing the need for further studies to confirm a direct link between air pollution-related sperm DNA methylation changes and fertility.

Changes in gene expression could potentially affect male fertility, so research in this area is important.

— Carrie NoblesCarrie Nobles highlighted the significance of the research into how gene expression changes, potentially influenced by air pollution, could impact male fertility.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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