Why should we talk more about male infertility?

April 7, 2025

( Update : April 7, 2025 )

Current statistics show that worldwide infertility rates are on the rise. In 2023, the World Health Organization reported that one person in six was infertile. Half of these infertility cases are due to the male partner and these rates may be increasing. In most of these cases the cause of the infertility is unknown, or idiopathic.

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Current statistics show that worldwide infertility rates are on the rise. In 2023, the World Health Organization reported that one person in six was infertile. Half of these infertility cases are due to the male partner and these rates may be increasing. In most of these cases the cause of the infertility is unknown, or idiopathic.

A risk... to the fetus?

There are several possible explanations for increased male infertility. These include early exposure to drugs or chemicals in plastics, electronics, textiles, and cosmetics as well as other environmental factors including pesticides. Even before birth, a boy’s hormones can be disrupted in his mother’s womb by these numerous everyday sources.

Endocrine disruptors in the crosshairs

Endocrine disruptors are natural or synthetic substances that mimic the effect of hormones. These are suspected to contribute to infertility, and are currently being studied by specialistsinvestigating how environmental contaminants can have serious consequences on cellular development in both humans and animals.

The research community mobilizes

Several faculty members at Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) are researching these issues. Professor Géraldine Delbès with the Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie (AFSB) Research Centre is studying how chemicals found in the environment can affect male fertility. She has already sounded the alarm on the need to better understand and fund this research area, advocating for men’s right of access to effective diagnosis and treatment.

And humans are not the only species affected!

Professor Daniel G. Cyr, also active at the AFSB Research Centre, is working on male infertility issues. He is more specifically interested in the role of cell interactions in sperm maturation and the effects of contaminants on stem cell differentiation in the male reproductive system. In the course of their extensive research, Professor Cyr and his team have even demonstrated the effects of water pollution on infertility and physiology of fish and amphibians.

Male infertility, female burden

Today, there is a lack of prevention and clinical diagnostics to adequately support infertile men who wish to have a child. This doesn’t just affect them: women are the ones who have to undergo medically assisted reproduction procedures. This is a heavy burden to bear, when better diagnostic tools could be developed for men, says Professor Delbès.

A taboo subject

In recent decades, societal changes regarding gender equality have helped break the taboo surrounding male infertility. As the research continues, specialists agree that it is essential to demystify the subject and raise public awareness, especially among young people, about the growing incidence of infertility. This will help rebalance responsibilities and shift the focus to prevention.

These images are generated by artificial intelligence for illustrative purposes only. They do not accurately represent experiments, laboratory procedures or practices. Their sole purpose is to facilitate the popularization of science.

Find out more:

Géraldine Delbès

Daniel G. Cyr

Géraldine Delbès: Male Infertility Under the Microscope

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Why should we talk more about male infertility?

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