Factors affecting male fertility: a review

Abstract

Male infertility is an urgent medical and demographic threat worldwide, in particular in industrial regions suffering from environmental pollution. Here we performed an analysis of epidemiological studies and meta-analyses of prevalence, causes, and risk factors of male reproductive disorders. Among the well-defined risk factors determining male infertility are hormonal imbalance, sexually transmitted infections, other inflammatory diseases, hereditary mutations, and congenital malformations. Less studied causes of male infertility are acquired mutations and gene polymorphisms, immune disorders, oxidative stress, and chronic conditions. To date, there is no consensus on the contribution of lifestyle, bad habits, working environment, and climatic factors to male infertility. As such, 40-50% male infertility cases are characterized as idiopathic.

Keywords

• fertility
• hormones
• bad habits
• sexually transmitted infections
• spermatozoa
• male reproductive system