A recent article published in GQ magazine titled “Sperm Count Zero” discussed the possibility that within a generation we may lose the ability to reproduce entirely due to declining sperm counts. But, is male infertility increasing or are we simply more aware of it due to advances in medical research, technology, and information sharing in the digital age? Here’s what we know:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a male factor is identified along with a female factor in approximately 35% of couples with infertility. In an estimated 8% of cases, a male factor is the only identifiable cause.
Male factor infertility may refer to low sperm count (oligospermia), no sperm count (azoospermia), or decreased sperm motility (asthenospermia).
While it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of infertility, the most common causes of infertility in men include disruption of testicular or ejaculatory function such as from trauma to the testes or use of certain medications or supplements, hormonal disorders, or genetic disorders.
Despite the significant role of male factor in infertility, advances in therapeutic options have vastly improved the chances for men to conceive their own biological offspring.
Treatment options aside, the article in GQ argues that the decreases in sperm counts in recent decades are too significant to ignore. Summarizing a study published by researchers from Hebrew University and Mount Sinai Medical School, it states that sperm counts in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have fallen by more than 50 percent over the past four decades.
The data from the rest of the world was determined to be insufficient to conclude from, but there are studies suggesting that the trend could be worldwide.
Furthermore, the study showed that the human race is apparently on a trend line toward becoming unable to reproduce itself.
A team of epidemiologists, clinicians, and researchers extracted data from 185 studies, which examined semen from almost 43,000 men. What they learned was that sperm counts went from 99 million sperm per milliliter of semen in 1973 to 47 million per milliliter in 2011, and the decline has been accelerating. Should the trend continue, it could bring us to zero.
According to Hagai Levine, a lead author of the study, “We should hope for the best and prepare for the worst. And that is the possibility that we will become extinct.”
There is such an emphasis on female reproductive health, but the bottom line is that male reproductive health is essential to the survival of our species and that the issue deserves acknowledgment, funding, and further research.
Marc Goldstein, a urologist and surgeon at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City, said that while there was “no question I’ve seen a big increase in men with male-factor infertility,” he wasn’t worried for the future of the species. He was confident that assisted reproduction would keep the babies coming, no matter how sickly men’s sperm become.
An important takeaway from the article was that advances in fertility treatment will be a significant determinant of how long we can outrun the drop in sperm count.
Sadri Fertility is a North Carolina-based clinic dedicated to the unique issues of men. Founded by Hooman Sadri, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Sadri Fertility specializes in male reproductive medicine. Call us at 336-716-4131.