The impact of chemical pollution and warming on male fertility: a narrative review by the Special Interest Group "Environment and Fertility" of the Italian Society of Fertility and Sterility and Reproductive Medicine (SIFES-MR)

Environmental changes are a growing global concern, and their impact on reproductive health remains incompletely understood. In this narrative review, conducted on behalf of the Italian Society of Fertility and Sterility and Reproductive Medicine (SIFES-MR), we examined the impact of the environment on male fertility, considering endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), air pollution, and global warming, with the aim of identifying strategies to improve reproductive outcomes. Scientific literature demonstrates that all these aspects may contribute to a decline in reproductive health, impairing sperm count, motility, and morphology as well as reducing testicular hormonal function. Future research should focus on the role of environmental factors in male hypogonadism, impaired spermatogenesis, genital abnormalities, and transgenerational effects.