REVIEW article
Front. Med.
Sec. Obstetrics and Gynecology
This article is part of the Research TopicOxidative and Reductive Stress in Infertility: Biomarkers, Mechanisms, and Innovations in Reproductive MedicineView all 3 articles
Environmental Determinants of Male Infertility: Emerging Threats and Technological Interventions
Provisionally accepted
- 1Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
- 2VIT Bhopal University, Sehore, India
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Male infertility stands as a significant global concern, contributing to nearly 50% of infertility cases and affecting approximately 7% of the male population. Mounting evidence identifies environmental degradation is a major, modifiable driver. Numerous environmental contaminants, including air pollution, heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), microplastics, pharmaceutical contaminants, and climate change linked to deteriorating semen quality. These environmental toxins can decrease spermatogenesis and overall sperm function by triggering oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, inflammation, and epigenetic alterations. This review highlights the increasing necessity of incorporating environmental exposure data (eco-profiles) into routine semen analysis. An integrated framework is outlined in which AI algorithms analyze multi-omics biomarkers, ranging from genomics to metabolomics, together with environmental metrics. These combined data are used to predict individual fertility risk and to guide personalized treatment strategies, particularly in the context of assisted reproductive technologies. Future studies are essential to find trustworthy biomarkers and elucidate the molecular processes that connect environmental contaminants to male infertility. As environmental toxicants intensify, the comprehensive toxicological studies are in need to enhance curative approaches and preventative strategies that ultimately aim at safeguarding male fertility.
Keywords: Aritificial Intelligence, Assisted reproductive techniques (ART), Environmental Pollutants, male infertility, Semen quality
Received: 18 Dec 2025; Accepted: 19 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 P and TB. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Sridharan TB
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