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Environment, lifestyle and infertility — an inter-generational issue

Nature Medicine volume 8, pages S33–S40 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The effects of adult lifestyle — primarily smoking and diet in women, and sedentary habits generally — are important factors affecting the fertility of men and women, and can also impact the fertility of their children. This review summarizes the effects of season, modern lifestyles and environmental chemicals on human fertility, and discusses the implications of these effects for future generations.

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Figure 1: Factors affecting sperm counts in adult men and their role in fertility.
Figure 2: Key environmental/lifestyle factors than can affect human fertility.
Figure 3: The hormonal mechanisms that link nutrition/diet and female fertility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkieth Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK

    Richard M. Sharpe

  2. Department of Reproductive Science and Medicine, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, W12 0NN, UK

    Stephen Franks

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Sharpe, R., Franks, S. Environment, lifestyle and infertility — an inter-generational issue. Nat Med 8 (Suppl 10), S33–S40 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm-fertilityS33

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