Reproductive risks due to pollution even in Vicenza, which is not immune and the data is alarming. The long-awaited conference took place on 10 April 2024, entitled: “Human biomonitoring data: what risks, what remedies”.
Reproductive risks due to pollution – AltriItalia Association
It was organized by the AltrItalia Ambiente and Ecofoodfertility association, with the patronage of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security. Among others, Prof. Micali and his team carried out important biomonitoring in the Vicenza area. In particular on PFAS with the guidance of Dr. Francesco Bertola, ISDE doctor from Vicenza.
In this area, the sampling on Pfas and also on other contaminants on semen and blood represents in quantitative terms the largest ever carried out so far. The first results will be communicated during the IV National Meeting of the EcoFoodFertility Project network which will be held in Vicenza on May 25th. Many exponents of the scientific world, politicians and environmentalists, present in the institutional headquarters of the Chamber of Deputies, in the Refectory Hall, participated in the initiative. Illustrated are the results of studies carried out in various areas of Italy on the state of environmental contamination and the effects on male fertility.
EcoFoodFertility Vicenza Project 25 May 2024
There has been a systematic human biomonitoring study on the quality of the semen of very healthy juveniles. Rigorously selected (age 18-22 years, non-smokers, non-habitual drinkers, homogeneous body mass indices), they revealed interesting data. This is in relation to the presence of environmental pollutants and their effects in various Italian areas with a high rate of pollution (Terra dei Fuochi, Brescia, Valle del Sacco, Modena, Vicenza, Taranto). Significant reproductive risks emerge in approximately 45% of cases with at least one parameter altered in the spermiogram.
Even more worrying are the biomolecular alterations (alterations of the antioxidant, proteomic, epigenetic and genetic systems) affecting the spermatozoa. For the first time, the high rate of pollution is also defined in relation to various contaminants found in semen (heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, PFAS, volatile organic compounds). A reproductive risk emerges which would represent a sign of environmental damage to the entire biological systems
body.
Prof. Salvatore Micali of the University of Modena – Reproductive risks due to pollution
It is considering the delicate male reproductive system, and in particular the spermatozoa, as sentinels of environmental and general health. LProf. Marina Piscopo, molecular biologist at the University of Naples Federico II, highlighted important alterations of the protamine/histone ratio in children from Terra dei Fuochi, Valle del Sacco and Vicenza.
The professor. Salvatore Micali of the University of Modena, however, illustrated the data of the children from Modena, highlighting as the sperm alterations were close to 45%, despite being perfectly healthy. In addition to checking various pathologies such as varicocele. All the data emerging in the Vicenza area will be communicated during the IV National Meeting of the network EcoFoodFertility project which will be held in Vicenza on May 25th. Finally, we cannot ignore it that recent Lancet research from 2020 indicates a halving of the population in the world particularly in Western countries and Italy could halve the current population.
Male infertility
These demographic projections could also be brought forward if sperm counts continue to decline further. It is necessary to act with health surveillance and andrological “conscription-like” visits to all 18-year-olds, Free spermiogram for all 18 year olds. Also establish a national registry on male fertility with decline of the age of screening for tumor diseases at least in the areas with the highest incidence for oncological diseases. Finally, a great pact is needed between schools and healthcare to educate about environmental and reproductive health and for a true culture of prevention.
