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The phenomenon of climate change is quite real and a threat to the health of human beings as observed from the disasters that are enthused by the occurrence of extreme weather condition. To solve this crisis we should understand what global warming is.

What is Global Warming?

Accounts on annual Global temperature span from 1880.The global temperature has risen to 0.07 degree Celsius (0.13degrees Fahrenheit) pa on average every decades. The intensification rate has augmented in folds more than twice in total with the start of the 1981 year. The result - is A Planet that has never been hotter 5 warmest years on record all happened after 2015.Now the scientists want the global temp to be kept to only 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2040 if we are going to live in a world that has the worst impacts every 10 years. The rate of increase has more than doubled since 1981.

Now scientists have concluded that we must limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040, if we are to avoid a future with the most devastating effects:

• Extreme droughts,
• Wildfires and heat stress
• Floods & tropical storms,
• Air pollution due to toxic chemicals
• Vector Borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue, Chikungynya & Zika and other disasters.

Effects of Climate Change due to Global warming on Reproductive Health

Increasing temperatures mostly due to increased greenhouse gases that trap excess heat in the atmosphere result in erratic weather patterns, air pollution, wildfires, hurricanes, floods,rising sea and waterway levels, disruption and migration of human and wildlife populations, together have set the stage for new and devastating health threats across the globe.

Such trends in climate change have affected the general population and in particular those in the reproductive age group have clearly demonstrated effects such as

Such trends in climate change have affected the general population, and particularly those in the reproductive age group have clearly demonstrated effects such as

• Reduced fecundity and impaired fertility potential
• Decreased sperm count & motility
• Reduced Ovarian reserve
• Lowered number of Antral follicle count
• Change in menstrual cycle patterns and hormonal disturbances
• Increase time to achieve pregnancy and poor IVF outcomes
• Increased miscarriage rates
• Preterm birth and low birth weight babies

Air Pollution

Air pollution is mainly composed of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), sulphur-dioxide (SO2), and PM2.5 and PM10 as well as some endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as in diesel exhaust. These can have significant impact on various parameters pertaining to reproductive health and can induce reactive oxygen species leading to DNA damage, epigenetic changes, abnormal DNA repair, and disruptions in normal gene/protein expression, cellular and organ function.

Women living close to major road highways and heavy traffic ridden areas take longer time to achieve pregnancy and lower probability of successful implantation and Live birth and are more prone to diseases like childhood asthma and pneumonia.

Wildfire

Fine particles (PM2.5) are the principal pollutant of concern from wildfire smoke.

Wildfire-generated PM may be more toxic possibly because of higher oxidative potential leading to DNA demethylation affecting the genes involved in the developmental process.

Studies have demonstrated detrimental effects of wildfire smoke on gametes, fertility, pregnancy outcomes and birth defects.

Heat

Heat waves around the world are increasing at an alarming rate in both number and duration. The impact on the reproductive organs is mainly due to disruption of thermoregulation, disbalance of the sensitive hormonal axis, production of reactive oxygen species leading to compromise on the gamete competence and thereby faulty implantation, increased rates of miscarriage and poor live birth rates.

Temperature plays a crucial role in maintaining normal spermatogenesis in testes. The scrotal temperature is 2–4 °C lower than the core body temperature and any factor that causes a rise in scrotal temperature will affect the spermatogenesis process resulting in male infertility. Impaired thermoregulation affects heat exchange through the pampiniform plexus can cause varicocele which results in reduced sperm count, motility, reduced DNA integrity and subfertility.

In females, oocyte competence is similarly affected by heat stress, high temperatures being associated with decreased fecundity; impaired oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion; lower cleavage, morula, and blastocyst rates, endometrial receptivity and pregnancy loss.

Floods

The indirect effects of floods and storms on fertility may be due to waterborne diseases which pose a high risk especially the spread of diarrhea and cholera in 3rd world countries. Natural disasters, particularly flash floods, storms, hurricanes and earthquakes have had extremes of detrimental effects on preconceptional and periconceptional health of both men and women and also maternal psychological responses affecting early childhood development, social cognition and stress response systems.

Vector borne diseases

Insects transmitted diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya and Zika are now prevalent diseases threatening pregnant women as well as developing fetus.es. This indirectly caused by climate change, therefore increasing the transmission of vector borne diseases leads to

• higher maternal mortality due to infections, preeclampsia, eclampsia, placental abruption
• Low birth weight
• Preterm labour
• Stillbirth
• Birth defects and increased perinatal mortality.

Conclusion

Global warming induced climate change poses a major risk to reproductive health and is more pronounced in certain vulnerable population groups.

The impact of climate change and its sequelae needs to be minimised in order to improve human health, which includes reproductive health and will require global multidisciplinary collaboration among individuals and organizations ,engagement of citizens and healthcare professionals.

Politically and economically driven policies need to be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other hazardous effects to promote climate friendly mitigation strategies.

Reproductive health care professionals have an opportunity to educate patients, colleagues, trainees and government officials in positions of responsibility to make this goal a reality. Healthcare providers need to rise to the occasion to recognize many facets of climate change and its impact on fertility, fetal development and obstetric outcomes which will impact future generations.

As we explore deeper into the field of infertility treatment, there are many more aspects that have been adding onto the list of factors leading to infertility and there may be much more than what we may anticipate. The only way to find out is to stay connected with the experts in the field of reproductive medicine and who other than the Master herself, will be your best choice!

Padma Shri Prof. Dr. Kamini Rao is one of the pioneers in the research and development of assisted reproductive techniques, way back from the early 80s and we stay inspired by her presence amongst us for more than 4 decades, not only for treating thousands of couples for infertility but also to have mentored thousands of junior Doctors for the training in reproductive medicine and healthcare, at IIRRH till 2022 and there on at Medline Academics. Get to know more about the courses available in this fascinating field – Call us now on +91-9513453461 to get enrolled in Medline Academics, one of the Best IVF training centers in Bangalore, India. While we offer the flexibility of attending the theory classes online at the comfort of your home, office or hospital, we also ensure that your practical training is also a wholesome hands-on experience with the inclusion of Simulation training and Clinical Attachment. Our institute is not only equipped with the most advanced, state-of-the-art simulators to provide risk-free first-hand experience for Fellowship Doctors, but we also offer clinical attachment with Dr. Kamini Rao Hospitals, A unit of Medline Academics, to provide clinical experience in ART procedures at the root level in addition to training the fellows to be the best consultants in reproductive healthcare, from menarche to menopause.