Environmental exposures and infertility

The risk of infertility is increasing globally as a result of genetic factors as well as environmentalfactors. This review focuses on the complex relationship between environmental factors andinfertility, a global issue affecting millions. It covers a wide range of environmental exposures,including air pollution and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can interfere with variousstages of reproductive physiology. In males, lifestyle choices, occupational hazards, and EDCs cannegatively impact sperm quality and hormonal balance. Similarly, these chemicals can disruptovarian function and menstrual regularity in females. Furthermore, this review discusses howenvironmental exposures can affect the success of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART),influencing ovarian response and embryo quality. It highlights the role of epigenetic mechanisms,where changes induced by environmental exposures can be passed down to future generations.Despite existing regulations to lower environmental risks, challenges remain. It also emphasizes theimportance of public awareness and education in addressing these risks. The mini-review concludesby demanding future research to identify new environmental threats, understand their molecularmechanisms, evaluate their long-term effects, and develop new biomarkers and models for riskassessment. In addition, emphasizes the importance of environmental factors and interdisciplinaryapproaches to human fertility and ART outcomes.