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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Hannah Devlin Science correspondent

Air pollution linked to DNA changes in sperm, research shows

A microscopic view of sperm cells swimming, with one prominent in the foreground against a blue background
Changes in gene expression have the potential to impact men’s fertility. Illustration: rez-art/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Air pollution appears to alter how sperm genes function, one of the largest fertility studies of its kind has found.

Men exposed to common air pollutants while sperm were developing showed subtle DNA changes that affected whether genes were switched on or off, raising fresh concerns air pollution may harm male fertility.

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