Male Fertility – Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel

Male infertility affects 7% of the male population, accounts for approximately 50% of all cases of inability to conceive a child, and the problem is only increasing every year.

There is a decline in sperm quality around the world, but this problem is not discussed enough. Scientists are tirelessly trying to find out what is behind this, and what factors affect the fertility* of men, writes Air Force. The doctor’s verdict, which was heard, for example, by a couple from Yorkshire (England), is increasingly heard in doctors’ offices around the world:

“We can deal with you. No problem. We can help you,” the doctor said to Jennifer Hannington. He then turned to her husband Kiaran and said, “But there’s not much we can do for you.”

The couple tried for two years to have a baby, knowing that it comes with certain difficulties – Jennifer has polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that can affect fertility. But what they never expected was that there were problems on Kiaran’s side as well. They were revealed by tests – a low number of spermatozoa and their insufficient mobility. But the worst thing is that these problems are much more difficult to deal with than Jennifer’s problem, and most likely even impossible. Hunnington still remembers his reaction:

“Shock. Woe. I was in complete denial. I thought the doctors were wrong. I felt like I let my wife down.”

He always wanted to be a father. Over the years, his mental health deteriorated. He began to spend more time alone, staying in bed and resorting to alcohol for comfort. Then the panic attacks started. He recalls: “I reached a breaking point. It was a deep, dark place.”

Male infertility accounts for approximately half of all infertility cases and affects 7% of the male population. But it is much less discussed than women’s, partly because of the taboo surrounding it. For most males with fertility problems, the cause remains unclear, and the stigma** means that many suffer in silence.

Research shows that the problem may be growing, and that factors such as pollution are affecting male fertility and sperm quality, which can have huge consequences for both individuals and society as a whole.

The last century was marked by a sharp increase in population: 70 years ago, 2.5 billion people lived on Earth, in 2022 the population of the Earth reached eight billion. But the population growth rate has slowed down, mainly due to social and economic factors. Birth rates around the world have fallen to record lows.

More than half of the world’s population lives in countries with fertility rates below two children per woman. The reasons include positive changes, such as greater financial independence for women and control over their reproductive health. But on the other hand, in countries with low birth rates, many couples would like to have more children, studies show, but put it off for social and economic reasons.

A growing body of research shows that environmental pollution can be the cause of a decline in sperm quality and sperm count. At the same time, there may be a decrease in another type of fertility, known as fertility, that is, a person’s physical ability to produce offspring. Studies show an increase in reproductive problems in men: a decrease in sperm count, a decrease in testosterone levels, an increase in the incidence of erectile dysfunction and testicular cancer.

Hagay Levin, professor of epidemiology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and his collaborators published a review of global trends in sperm count in 2022. It showed that between 1973 and 2018 their number decreased by an average of 1.2% per year, from 104 to 49 million/ml. Since 2000, the rate of this decline has accelerated to more than 2.6% per year. Levin notes:

“We’re facing a public health crisis and we don’t know if we’ll reverse it.”

The professor argues that this acceleration may be due to epigenetic changes, that is, changes in the way genes are caused by environmental or lifestyle factors. A separate review also suggests that epigenetics may play a role in sperm changes and male infertility:

“There are indications that this may accumulate from generation to generation. This [снижение количества сперматозоидов] is a sign of poor health of men, and perhaps of all mankind. We are facing a public health crisis and we don’t know if it will reverse.”

The idea that epigenetic changes can be inherited from generation to generation is not without controversy, but there is evidence to suggest that it is possible.

Research also shows that male infertility can predict future health problems, although the exact link is not fully understood. One possibility is that certain lifestyle factors may contribute to both infertility and other health problems.

Individual lifestyle changes may not be enough to stop the decline in sperm quality. A growing body of evidence suggests there is a broader environmental threat: toxic pollutants – modern life makes men infertile.

Research by Rebecca Blanchard, a research fellow at the University of Nottingham in the UK, has focused on chemicals found in plastics, flame retardants and common household items. Some of these chemicals are banned but still remain in the environment or in old items. Her research has shown that they can disrupt the hormonal system and harm male fertility:

“We found a decrease in sperm motility. There was also an increase in the amount of DNA fragmentation.”

Sperm DNA fragmentation refers to damage or breakage of the genetic material. This can have implications beyond conception: as levels of DNA fragmentation increase, Blanchard explains, so do early miscarriages.

The findings are consistent with other studies showing fertility damage caused by chemicals found in plastics, household medicines, the food chain and airborne. It affects men as well as women and even babies. Some have been found to reach babies in the womb.

Climate change could also negatively impact male fertility, with several animal studies showing that spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable to the effects of rising temperatures. Heat waves have been shown to damage the sperm of animals, and a similar effect has been observed in humans. A 2022 study found that high ambient temperatures due to global warming or working in a hot environment negatively affect sperm quality.

Along with these environmental factors, male fertility can be affected by individual problems: poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, stress, alcohol and drug use.

In recent decades, people become parents later in life, and while women are often reminded of their biological clock, it was believed that age was not an issue for male fertility. Research now shows that older paternal age is associated with lower sperm quality and reduced fertility.

There is a growing urgent need for a better understanding of male infertility and new approaches to its prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as for raising awareness of the urgent need to combat environmental pollution. But is there anything a man can do himself to improve the quality of his sperm?

Physical activity and a healthier diet can be a good start. Blanchard recommends choosing organic food and plastic products that are free of BPA (Bisphenol A), a chemical that causes fertility problems in men and women. She recommends not to suffer in silence and says:

“There are some things you can do.”

* Fertility is a measure of the natural ability to conceive a child.

** Stigmatization is socio-psychological discrimination of any category of people.

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