Fine particulate matter exposure and sperm DNA fragmentation in US men: a spatial cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Study question

Does exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) impact sperm DNA fragmentation?

Summary answer

Higher PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased sperm DNA fragmentation, with greater effects observed in men of lower socioeconomic status (SES).

What is known already

Environmental air pollutants such as PM2.5 have been linked to adverse reproductive and perinatal outcomes. However, their impact on sperm chromatin integrity remains underexplored, particularly in the context of geographic and sociodemographic modifiers.

Study design, size, duration

This was a cross-sectional study including 21 851 semen samples collected between 2005 and 2022 from men undergoing fertility evaluation across multiple US regions.

Participants/materials, setting, m

SUBMITTER: Fouks Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12491671 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature