Volume 23, Issue 10 (October 2025)                   IJRM 2025, 23(10): 787-802 | Back to browse issues page

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Fares K S, Tayeh G H A, Whaibeh E R, Jaalouk L Y, Matar Y M, Mrad M A. The influence of environmental and chemical exposures on fertility in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A narrative review. IJRM 2025; 23 (10) :787-802
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3548-en.html
The influence of environmental and chemical exposures on fertility in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A narrative review
Kassandra Said Fares1 , Georges Hani Abi Tayeh *2 , Emile Roger Whaibeh3 , Lina Yasser Jaalouk4 , Yara Matar Matar4 , Myriam Andraos Mrad5
1- Higher Institute for Public Health, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. & Saint Joseph Fertility Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
2- Saint Joseph Fertility Center, Beirut, Lebanon. & Health and Environment Response Agency, HERA, Lebanon. Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fertility, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. , georges.abitayeh@hera-me.org
3- Higher Institute for Public Health, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. & Health and Environment Response Agency, HERA, Lebanon. Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon.
4- Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon.
5- Health and Environment Response Agency, HERA, Lebanon. & Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon.
Abstract:   (79 Views)
Infertility has increasingly become a global medical challenge. Environmental exposures have been suggested to interfere with reproduction. This review focuses on the impacts of climate and chemical exposures on reproductive functions and assisted pregnancy outcomes in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The search strategy was applied to PubMed and Scopus databases including publications from January 2012-June 2024. 63 studies investigating climatic factors, chemical exposures, trace elements, and smoking among the Eastern Mediterranean region population were included. Around 59% (n = 37) and 36% (n = 23) of the analyzed publications evaluated male factors and female factors, respectively. A decrease in sperm parameters was correlated to high temperatures, bisphenol A, and air dust exposures. Men endocrine reproductive system is negatively affected by phthalates and pesticides containing products. Trace elements showed a double role regarding reproduction. Heavy smokers were found to have poorer semen quality compared to regular smokers. The available evidence summarizing environmental exposures and smoking habits, and infertility assistance outcomes is limited and inconsistently distributed across the studied region. Addressing the vast health disparities and cultural and social discrepancies within the region can enhance public awareness, education, policy, and regulation development.
Keywords: Air pollution, Infertility, Pesticides, Smoking, Temperature.
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Type of Study: Review Article | Subject: Fertility & Infertility
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