Environmental toxins linked to infertility, IVF failures — fertility expert

Prof. Ashiru, who is the Secretary-General of the International Federation of Fertility Societies, (IFFS), said there was an urgent need to put into consideration, environmental exposures when assessing couples seeking to conceive, particularly those undergoing in-vitro fertilisation, IVF.

He spoke at Abuja while presenting an update on preconception cleansing at the 2nd African Federation of Fertility Societies, AFFS, and 16th Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health, AFRH, meetings.

The fertility expert, who also serves as President of the Academy of Medical Specialties of Nigeria, President of the Africa Reproductive Care Society and Chairman of MART Group of Health Services, Lagos, said people were exposed to a wide range of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, EDCs, through the air they breathe, water they drink, food they consume and products they use daily.

According to him, some of these exposures can affect sperm, eggs and early development, with environmental and dietary factors acting through pathways including oxidative stress, sperm DNA damage and epigenetic changes.

Ashiru said routine semen analysis does not explain an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of male-factor infertility, making it important to look beyond conventional fertility investigations.

He said: “Every couple deserves to begin their journey to parenthood in the healthiest possible environment.

“Toxins in our air, food and everyday products can affect sperm and egg quality long before conception, yet they are rarely discussed in the fertility clinic.

“Assessing exposure and supporting the body before treatment gives couples a better chance of a healthy pregnancy.”

Ashiru cited evidence linking environmental and occupational exposures to reproductive problems, including findings that sperm DNA fragmentation above 30 per cent was associated with reduced blastocyst formation during IVF.

He also said agricultural workers exposed to organophosphate pesticides had been reported to have about 50 per cent higher sperm aneuploidy, while pesticide exposure had been associated with poorer IVF outcomes.

The specialist added that occupational exposure to bisphenol A, BPA, had been linked to a higher risk of low sperm concentration, while phthalates had been associated with poorer semen quality.

On heavy metals, Ashiru said lead, cadmium and mercury could accumulate in reproductive tissues, noting that sperm DNA fragmentation had been reported to rise by about eight per cent for every doubling of seminal cadmium.

He further cited evidence linking exposure to air pollutants, including fine particulate matter, PM2.5, and nitrogen dioxide, in the 90 days before semen collection with reduced sperm motility.

According to him, a 2022 prospective study in China found that couples living within 500 metres of a major road had a 15 per cent lower live birth rate per IVF cycle.

Ashiru said environmental exposure was also a Nigerian concern, particularly in communities affected by oil exploration and pollution.

He identified oil spills and pollution of air and water in parts of the Niger Delta, alongside mining, deforestation, pesticide use, industrial chemicals and climate change, as issues requiring greater attention in reproductive health.

He noted that international professional bodies, including the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, FIGO, had highlighted concerns over the reproductive health effects of toxic environmental chemicals and the role of obstetricians and gynaecologists in addressing them.

Ashiru also presented findings from the MART/MARTLIFE Detox Clinic on its preconception detoxification approach, based on Modern Mayr Therapy and involving measures such as lymphatic drainage enhancement, infrared cabin sessions, hydrotherapy, oxygen-based therapies, antioxidant therapy and orthomolecular supplementation.

According to the findings presented, patients were assessed based on their medical history, occupational exposure or unexplained IVF failure before undergoing detoxification and fertility treatment.

A comparison involving 131 patients who underwent detoxification and 87 who did not reportedly showed higher pregnancy and live birth rates among those who underwent the intervention.

The reported pregnancy rate was 41.2 per cent among the detoxification group, compared with 31 per cent in the comparison group.

Clinical pregnancy rates were 27.5 per cent and 21.8 per cent respectively, while live birth rates were 23.7 per cent and 15 per cent.

Ashiru and his colleagues have also reported on managing environmental exposure in clinical practice in Global Reproductive Health, while a separate case report from the clinic documented the removal of heavy metals in a patient before fertility treatment.

He said the approach may help address nutritional toxins and heavy metals, support mitochondrial quality and minimise the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on assisted reproductive technology outcomes.
Ashiru, however, called for further research into the relationship between environmental exposures and reproductive health, alongside greater public and professional education.

He urged couples planning pregnancy to discuss possible occupational and environmental exposures, lifestyle and diet with qualified fertility specialists.

He said greater attention to environmental risks should form part of broader efforts to improve reproductive health and prepare couples for conception and assisted reproduction.