March 29. 2024. 1:09

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The environmental impacts on reproductive health


While genetic and lifestyle factors impacting reproductive health have been studied for years, the role of environmental factors such as air pollution, organic pollutants, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals are coming under the spotlight.

As increasing numbers of studies find evidence of the adverse effects of environmental pollutants and toxins on reproductive health, researchers are pushing for more work to be done to understand the connections between these factors and fertility.

Globally, one in six people will face challenges in conceiving a child at some point in their lives, according to a recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) estimates that 25 million people in the EU alone are affected by infertility.

Female and male infertility is often linked to a number of factors such as increasing age at conception, disorders of the genital organs, endocrine disorders, and abnormal sperm function and quality.

Other factors can be external, such as smoking, consumption of drugs, and excessive alcohol intake.

While these factors have been the subject of scientific journals for decades, recent research reveals an additional cause for concern: exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins.

“In the EU, whereas we’ve done a lot of efforts to regulate chemicals better, we know very little about the toxicity of most of the chemicals that we have widely present in consumer products”, said Pauliina Damdimopoulou, a researcher on the impact of chemicals on the fertility of women at a seminar hosted by ESHRE last week.

“We can see multiple associations to adverse effects in studies varying from ovarian function to endometrial biology, fertility, and reproductive outcomes”, she added.

For Damdimopoulou, the need to study organic pollutants and their effects on women’s reproductive health is crucial, despite the costs of measuring chemicals’ impacts.

One factor highlighted by researchers is the role of urban air pollution in human health.

Miguel Ángel Checa, a specialist in reproductive medicine studied the effects environmental toxins can have on fertility. Air pollution, for instance, contributes to low birth rates, despite not being the only risk factor.

His studies show that exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2) decreases sperm DNA synthesis, which can lead to infertility and miscarriage.

Another environmental factor concerning experts is endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs).

EDCs are a class of chemicals commonly found throughout our environment in children’s products, food containers, personal care products, pesticides, and furniture.

These hazardous substances alter the functioning of the hormonal system, having a negative effect on the health of humans and animals.

During the seminar, various researchers warned about the effects these substances may have on fertility.

Maria Isabel Acien, chief of gynaecology at San Juan University Hospital in Alicante, Spain, explained how endocrine disruptors can cause genital tract anomalies.

“Disorders in young adult men like low sperm counts and testicular cancer may also stem from maldevelopment of the foetal testis and so have been related to in-utero endocrine disruptors”, she said.

Likewise, for Rémi Béranger from Rennes University, there’s a need to better understand these compounds to reduce exposure.

“We need to develop prevention strategies at an institutional level. To support research and exposure assessment to understand to what exactly we are exposed to,” he concluded.

This week’s podcast

The Importance of early testing

During the European Testing Week, a European campaign to promote awareness of the benefits of hepatitis and HIV testing, EURACTIV’s health team talks with Professor Jens Lundgren about the importance of early diagnosis for HIV patients.

Health technologies for reducing inequalities. Health technologies have the potential to reduce inequalities in healthcare – but only if they are designed to address underlying social determinants and are accessible to all, according to policymakers.

Rethinking ‘healthier’ roads. On the occasion of the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week (15-21 May) WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, in his statement called on governments to increase investments in modes of active transport such as walking, cycling and public transport, along with urban planning that allows accessing services and amenities within distances that could be readily covered on foot or by bicycle. “We must collectively take advantage of this moment in time to rethink – and redo – mobility, for the well-being of people and the planet, now and for future generations,” he said in a statement released on Monday (15 May). 70,000 deaths per year and hundreds of thousands more non-fatal injuries due to road traffic crashes are recorded in the WHO European Region each year.

European pharmaceutical pipeline news. The EU’s medicines agency (EMA)’s safety committee (PRAC) has started a review of medicines containing hydroxyprogesterone following concerns about the safety and effectiveness of these medicines. In the EU, these medicines are available as hydroxyprogesterone caproate and are given as injections to prevent pregnancy loss or premature birth in pregnant women.

The PRAC is reminding healthcare professionals that the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics given by mouth, injection or inhalation, is restricted to a last-line treatment in patients who have no alternative therapeutic options and only after a careful assessment of the benefits and risks for individual patients. These restrictions were introduced in 2019 following an EU-wide review of very rare but serious side effects, such as the risk of disabling long-lasting and potentially irreversible side effects.

WHO Europe’s NCDs office to leave Moscow. A draft decision to close the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), located in Moscow, Russian Federation, was voted in favour at a special session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe on Monday (15 May). The request was put forward by 30 Member States in the WHO European Region. The NCDs office is to be relocated to the WHO Regional Office in Copenhagen, Denmark, no later than 1 January 2024 WHO Europe announced in their press release. Following the outcome of today’s proceedings, and during a period of transition of functions, the WHO Regional Office will continue to safeguard support and guidance to Member States on addressing noncommunicable diseases across the Region.

No use of using non-sugar sweeteners. On Monday (15 May) WHO advised not to use non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) for weight control in a newly released guideline. The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that the use of non-sugar sweeteners does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children. Results of the review also suggest that there may be potential undesirable effects from long-term use of NSS, such as an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults. “NSS are not essential dietary factors and have no nutritional value. People should reduce the sweetness of the diet altogether, starting early in life, to improve their health,” said Francesco Branca, WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety.

Addressing anaemia. On Friday (12 May), the WHO launched its first-ever comprehensive framework on reducing anaemia, calling on countries to accelerate action to halve anaemia prevalence in women of reproductive age by 2025. Progress on reducing anaemia has been slow and the world is not on track to reach the global target. Anaemia is a serious global public health problem, affecting 571 million women and 269 million young children worldwide, WHO warned in their press release. Francesco Branca, the Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition and Food Safety said: “However, anaemia is a complex condition with multiple causes – including other nutritional deficiencies, infections, inflammation, gynaecological and obstetric conditions, and inherited red blood cell disorders.” All must be addressed to effectively prevent and treat anaemia, the press release said.

EU INSTITUTIONS

Stakeholders bicker over EU tender on tobacco control policy. A €3 million tender for research services related to the implementation of the EU’s tobacco control policy which aims to create a ‘tobacco-free generation’ was granted to the European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP) – the only tender bid – in a move that is being criticised by centre-right MEP Sara Skyttedal (EPP) as a conflict of interest. By Max Griera and Sofia Leeson | EURACTIV.com

LISBON

Portugal’s new euthanasia law criticised by Pope Francis. The approval of the decree on medically assisted death in Portugal was criticised by Pope Francis, who will be travelling to the country in August for World Youth Day and plans to visit the Shrine of Fatima. By Silvia Reis | Lusa.pt

BELGRADE

Serbian women face femicide, abortion ban. Serbian women face a range of issues, including the narrative of an abortion ban which is gaining momentum and 18 femicides so far in 2023, the latest occurring after the victim acquired a restraining order against the perpetrator. By Aleksandra Vrbica | EURACTIV.rs

MADRID

New e-cigarettes shaped like cartoon characters have caused concern in Spain, as the tobacco industry is increasingly trying to reach younger audiences with attractive flavours and designs via unevenly regulated e-cigarette products, Spain’s National Committee for Smoking Prevention warned. By Max Griera | EURACTIV.com

ZAGREB

Europe’s First Spouses gather in Zagreb to support fight against childhood obesity. Spouses of European leaders gathered in Zagreb on Wednesday to attend a summit organised by the World Health Organisation to launch an initiative to combat the growing problem of childhood obesity in Europe. By David Spaic-Kovacic | EURACTIV.hr

15-21 May | 7th UN Global Road Safety Week.

15-22 May | European Testing Week.

17 May | Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides holds hold the first EU-US Health Dialogue with US Secretary for Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.

17 May | WHO/Europe launches its new mpox campaign.

17 May | The ECDC and European Testing Week online event ‘HIV, Hepatitis B and C and Sexually Transmitted Infections: why is testing important and what can be done to increase testing access and uptake?’

17 May | Global Hepatitis Resource Mobilization Conference in Geneva.

18 May | Publication of Access to Morphine Report.

19 May | WHO’s World Health Statistics report launch.

Read more with EURACTIV

Health technologies must address inequalities to be effective, experts say

Health technologies must address inequalities to be effective, experts say

Health technologies have the potential to reduce inequalities in healthcare — but only if they are designed to address underlying social determinants and are accessible to all, according to policymakers.