A study published in the journal Human Reproduction Update says that sperm counts worldwide have halved over the past five decades, and the pace of the decline has more than doubled since the turn of the century.
Key findings of the study
- The data is alarming and points to a fertility crisis threatening the survival of humanity.
- The meta-analysis looked at 223 studies based on sperm samples from over 57,000 men across 53 countries.
- The study suggests that the average sperm concentration fell from an estimated 101.2m per ml to 49.0m per ml between 1973 and 2018 – a drop of 51.6%.
- Total sperm counts fell by 62.3% during the same period. Declines in sperm concentration were seen not only in the region previously studied, but in Central and South America, Africa and Asia.
- The rate of decline appears to be increasing: looking at data collected in all continents since 1972, the researchers found sperm concentrations declined by 1.16% per year. However, when they looked only at data collected since the year 2000, the decline was 2.64% per year.
- Sperm count is not only an indicator of human fertility but also that of men’s health, with low levels being associated with increased risk of chronic disease, testicular cancer and a decreased lifespan, the researchers said.
- While it is unclear what might be behind the apparent trend, one hypothesis is that endocrine-disrupting chemicals or other environmental factors may play a role, acting on the foetus in the womb.
- Experts say factors such as smoking, drinking, obesity and poor diet might also play a role, and that a healthy lifestyle may help to boost sperm counts.
(Complied from various sources)
