image source, Getty Images
A recent study found that men’s sperm concentration has dropped by 51 percent over the past 50 years.
This is one of the key findings of a study conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the United States.
The researchers calculated that in the 1970s, an average milliliter of semen contained 101 million cells, but that average has dropped to 49 million in recent times.
Not only that, it has been revealed that the quality of sperm has also decreased. The percentage of cells capable of entering a woman’s ovum has experienced a significant decline in recent decades.
“Loss of sperm motility has a major impact. Without this trait, fertility is reduced,” says Mosir Raphael Radaelli, a urologist and male specialist.
This continuing worsening situation has raised alarm bells among health experts.
“This is something to worry about because we are seeing an increase in the rate of deterioration. We don’t know where it will end,” says Eduardo Miranda, MD, coordinator of the Department of Andrology at the Brazilian Society of Urology.
The rate of loss of sperm in men has increased in recent years. A similar study in Israel and the United States found that between 1970 and 1990, sperm concentration declined by 1.16 percent annually.
Since the early 2000s, the ratio has risen to 2.64 percent.
It is a global phenomenon. Scientists have found that men’s sperm counts are declining on all continents, including the fastest declines in Europe, Africa, Central America and South America.
What is the reason for this? Experts point to at least five reasons. The good news is that there are ways around this problem.
obesity
image source, Getty Images
Obesity causes persistent damage to sperm.
The growth of adipose tissue, which leads to increased body fat, directly affects testosterone production. Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in male sperm production.
Miranda says being overweight creates oxidative stress that can cause damage to various cells in the body.
“Similarly, an obese person accumulates more fat in the genital area. This is dangerous for the sperm,” he says.
The temperature of the testis should be 1 to 2 degrees lower than body temperature for proper spermatogenesis and accumulation. That is why the scrotum is outside the body.
When the fat increases, the reproductive organs become overloaded and cannot function properly.
The World Health Organization estimates that 39 percent of men in the world are overweight.
Bad habits
image source, Getty Images
Use of alcohol, cigarettes, mini-cigarettes, cannabis, cocaine, etc. can greatly affect the sperms of men. “Some of these habits directly affect the spermatozoa,” says Miranda. “Others affect the production of hormones that stimulate the testicles. Experts say taking testosterone pills, gels, and injections to increase muscle mass is dangerous. “This market has gotten crazy and scary in recent years. Radelli warns. When this hormone is taken from outside, he says, the body understands that it no longer needs to produce it naturally. Because of this, the scrotum shrinks and the sperm count drops to zero. This is medically called azoospermia.
Sexually transmitted infection
Bacterial infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause inflammation in the epididymis where the cells mature. This change in the epididymis puts the cells at risk. In 2020 alone, the World Health Organization estimates that 129 million people will be infected with chlamydia and 82 million with gonorrhea. This rate has been steadily increasing in recent decades.
Lap calculator
image source, Getty Images
Remember what I said above that the scrotal temperature should be 1 to 2 degrees lower than the rest of the body? Studies published in the past decade suggest that lap-lap use poses an additional risk to sperm production. This is because the heating of the lapel cell will heat up the scrotum. Miranda points out that other habits associated with high temperatures also pose risks. For example, a long bath in hot water. He points out that electromagnetic waves, telephone signals and wireless internet are also affecting the technology sector. “In experimental studies in the laboratory, things like Wi-Fi and electromagnetic waves made it possible for sperm to pass through,” he says. “But it’s still not possible to confirm that these technologies harm cells,” Miranda says.
Endocrine system disruptors
Experts also warn of many toxic compounds known as endocrine disruptors. This list includes pollutants found in the atmosphere, plastics and pesticides. This is because these molecules have a very similar structure to the hormones in our body. Like a key entering a lock, these substances fit into cell receptors and trigger some unwanted process. “We don’t know the extent of the problem yet. Many studies are underway to determine that,” says Radaelli.
Is the world sterile?
image source, Getty Images
Beyond environmental and individual behavior, there are two additional intrinsic issues behind cell decline. The first is genetics. It is estimated that 10 to 30 percent of difficulty conceiving is related to male genetics. Second, maturity. Given that the sperm count dropped 51 percent in 50 years and has accelerated over the past two decades, could the number be close to zero? If this rate of decline continues at current levels, the concentration of cells in male sperm will be almost zero by 2050. But Miranda didn’t believe it would come to this. “There is a possibility that the situation will worsen. But at some point it will stop. We will probably reach that point with the help of new technologies,” he says.
What to do?
Men who wish to have children should make some practical changes in their lives to reverse the effects on their sperm. For example, weight loss can be achieved through a balanced diet and physical activity. Also alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs can be completely avoided or reduced. Always use a condom during non-pregnant sex to avoid infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. People who get the HPV vaccine at a young age are more protected against the virus and its effects on the body.
If you are having trouble conceiving even after making all the lifestyle changes, it is best to consult a doctor. According to national and international guidelines, the duration of visiting a doctor depends on the age of the woman.
“If the woman is under 35, couples should try to conceive for up to a year. Be mindful of ovulation and have regular intercourse three times a week,” says Miranda. If you’re over 35 and have trouble conceiving for more than six months, you’ve already rung a warning bell. This is because the availability of eggs begins to decline rapidly from that age. So delaying 12 months to find the cause is a waste of valuable time, doctors say. Both men and women should be examined to determine possible causes and recommend the best treatments, Radaelli says. If the problem is in men, experts usually recommend vitamin supplements (supplements) rich in antioxidants to help protect the scrotum. Additional supplements may be needed to regulate hormones. Some problems can be fixed with drugs and surgery, says Miranda. He cites as examples the treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotics and the surgical treatment of anatomical defects in the reproductive system. Couples may resort to artificial insemination as a last resort.
BBC Tamil on Social Media: