A meta-analysis published in Human Reproduction showed a continued global decline in sperm counts.[1]
The research studied the sperm concentration and total sperm count of men from North America–Europe–Australia, and South/Central America–Asia–Africa using 223 studies from 1973-2018.[1]
The study results pertain to young men who are unlikely to be aware of their fertility, such as those screened for military service or college students.
Results
Among men from all continents, the mean sperm concentration declined by 51.6% between 1973 and 2018.
The rate of decline in sperm count was faster after 2000 as the percent decline per year increased from 1.16% after 1972 to 2.64% after 2000.
Results were similar for total sperm count, with a 62.3% overall decline.
Significance of Low sperm counts
Declining sperm concentration is linked with infertility, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndrome, and higher all-cause morbidity and mortality.
Lower sperm counts also mean a decline in testosterone levels and increases in testicular cancer and male genital anomalies.
While men who need a boost in sperm counts may want to take zinc, Vitamin C, vitamin D, and supplements like ashwagandha and maca root to increase their sperm counts, new research showed that the level of physical exertion and the schedule of work are related to better testicular function.
Physical and Night Shift Associated with Higher Sperm Counts
A recently published study in Human Reproduction showed that men working night or rotating shifts and those with physically demanding jobs have higher sperm concentration and total sperm count and estradiol and total testosterone concentrations.[2]
The study involved a survey of 377 men who were male partners in couples seeking infertility treatment.
Those who reported lifting or moving heavy objects at work had 46% higher sperm concentrations and 44% higher total counts than men who reported never lifting or moving heavy objects.
They also have higher circulating testosterone and estradiol concentrations than those with lighter exertion.
Similar results were found for men working evening or rotating shifts compared to those in day shifts. They have 24% higher testosterone and 45% higher estradiol concentrations than men working day shifts.
If you are puzzled about why estradiol, a hormone associated with women, is present in men, one of the authors, Mínguez-Alarcón, explained in an interview with Medical Express said,
Contrary to what some people remember from biology class, ‘male’ and ‘female’ hormones are found in both sexes, but in different amounts.
In this case, we hypothesize that excess testosterone is being converted into estrogen, which is a known way for the body to keep normal levels of both hormones.
The authors cautioned that it might be premature to extrapolate the results to the general population.
Comment
The studies used in the meta-analysis about the decline in the global sperm count were only up to 2020. I suspect that the sperm counts will precipitously fall from 2021 onward. 2021 was the year when the COVID shots were started.
Dr. Arne Burkhardt presented at the Pandemic Strategies Conference in Sweden last month. There he showed that the testicles of patients who died after getting the COVID shots were loaded with spike proteins. Moreover, spermatogonia, the precursor of sperm cells, was absent.
I discussed Dr. Burkhardt’s presentation at – New and Alarming Autopsy Findings after the COVID shots.
His findings confirm the previous investigations about lower sperm counts and testosterone in those who had the COVID injections.
- Pfizer shot lowers semen concentration and impairs sperm cells for months
- The SARS-CoV-2 infects the human testes and lower testosterone and can be sexually transmitted from severe COVID-19 survivors
The increase in sperm counts and testosterone associated with physical work is a good motivator for lifting heavy weights and performing high-intensity exercises. Exercises decrease cardiovascular risk factors, lower blood pressure and sugar, and increase HDL.
- 21 Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training
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If low sperm and testosterone levels are linked with higher all-cause mortality, physical fitness and strength are associated with lower all-cause mortality. The stronger you are, the more likely you can survive whatever life throws at you.
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References:
- Levine et al. Temporal trends in sperm count: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of samples collected globally in the 20th and 21st centuries, Human Reproduction Update, 2022, dmac035, https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmac035
- Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón, Paige L Williams, Irene Souter, Jennifer B Ford, Ramy Abou Ghayda, Russ Hauser, Jorge E Chavarro, for the Earth Study Team, Occupational factors and markers of testicular function among men attending a fertility center, Human Reproduction, 2023; dead027, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dead027
- Physically Demanding Work Tied to Higher Male Fertility, Study Suggests
- Low sperm count not just a problem for fertility; New research presented at ENDO 2018 links it to other health problems
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