Male infertility, environment and lifestyle

Background. - Since the 1970s, there has been a quantitative and qualitative decline in sperm parameters. The main hypothesis to explain such a rapid evolution is the involvement of environmental and behavioral phenomena. Methods. - A bibliographic search limited to English and French literature in men published before 7/2023 was carried out on the links between fertility and pollution, xenobiotics, tobacco, narcotics, cannabis, alcohol, weight, sport, sedentary lifestyle, sleep and anabolics. Results. - Profound changes in lifestyle have occurred over the past 50 years: reduced sleep time, sedentary lifestyle, dietary changes, tobacco consumption, use of narcotics and anabolics. These changes have a proven impact on spermogram parameters, and should be corrected in an effort to optimize reproductive health. Other environmental parameters: pollution, exposure to heavy metals, exposure to xenobiotics, phthalates and pesticides. . . will be more difficult to exclude from patients' daily lives, but deserve to be taken more into account. Conclusion. - This review should help the urologist to assess and counsel patients in order to improve their reproductive health. These factors should be routinely investigated in infertile men.(c) 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.