Omics-based cutting-edge technologies for identifying predictive biomarkers to measure the impact of air borne particulate matter exposure on male reproductive health

Abstract

The reproductive lifespan of an individual is a critical determinant of their health, population dynamics, and aging. Research has established a clear association between environmental air pollution, particulate matter (PM), and reproductive health. Recent studies have focused on the impact of air pollution on male reproductive health. Chronic or acute exposure to airborne PM0.1, PM2.5, and PM10 has been found to trigger mitochondrial oxidative stress, double-strand DNA breaks, epigenetic modifications, and endocrine disruption in male reproductive tract functions. Consequently, identifying and validating PM-associated predictive biomarkers, including genes, transcripts, epimutations, proteins, and metabolites, hold promise for improving male reproductive efficiency. Omics-based techniques, such as next-generation sequencing, comparative genomic hybridization, genome-wide association studies, single-cell RNA sequencing, microarray analysis, mass spectroscopy, 2D gel electrophoresis, Raman spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance, have provided crucial insights into the pathological mechanisms underlying air pollution-related male reproductive health issues. This article presents a comprehensive assessment of existing evidence in this field, offering a methodical examination of findings that hold immense potential for addressing the adverse effects of air pollution on male reproductive health.