Indeed, according to the study, smoke from wildfires can compromise sperm quality in men undergoing fertility treatments.
All study participants provided semen samples before and after exposure to wildfire smoke. There have been major fires in the Seattle area in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
Sperm quality declined after wildfires
Semen samples collected after the wildfires were of significantly lower quality than those collected before exposure, according to results published in the journal. Fertility and sterility.
Wildfire exposure was associated with:
- Decreased total sperm count or total amount of sperm released during ejaculation
- Decrease in total sperm concentration, or the amount of sperm present in one milliliter of semen
- Reduction in the total number of progressively motile sperm, or the proportion of ejaculated sperm that can swim efficiently enough to potentially reach and fertilize an egg.
The study was not designed to prove whether or how exposure to wildfire smoke might directly impact sperm quality, fertility, or pregnancy outcomes. It is also unclear whether sperm quality would be permanently altered by smoke exposure, or whether it would potentially return to pre-exposure quality over time.
How wildfire smoke could damage sperm
Inhaling tiny particles in wildfire smoke can compromise sperm quality because it leads to systemic inflammation, interferes with hormones that play a role in reproduction, or interferes with DNA quality, says Elizabeth Rubin, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health & Science University at Portland, which studied the impact of smoke exposure on fertility.
“In each of these situations, the body is less able to produce high-quality sperm,” says Dr. Rubin, who was not involved in the new study. “Lower quality or quantity of sperm may make it more difficult to become pregnant or maintain a pregnancy, or even impact embryo development in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.”
The male body produces sperm continuously, so it’s possible that sperm quality damaged by wildfire exposure will improve over time, Rubin says.
However, it’s also possible that repeated exposure to wildfires could cause cumulative damage to the body’s ability to produce sperm, Rubin adds.
“Unfortunately, there is a lot we don’t know about the impact of wildfire smoke on fertility, particularly sperm,” Rubin says. “Longer-term studies are needed, particularly in people with multiple exposures, such as firefighters.”
Take precautions during wildfires
“Anyone living in an area affected by wildfire smoke should take steps to reduce risks, not only in terms of fertility but also for lung health,” says Rubin.
To reduce your exposure to smoke, Rubin recommends:
- Wear a mask
- Stay indoors
- Use air filters when possible
Even simply avoiding doing things like yard work, mowing, or cleaning outside during periods of smoke can help.
“None of these have been studied in the context of fertility, and it can be difficult to know exactly what benefits each option brings you, but all are helpful for your overall health,” says Rubin.
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