Sperm quality has fallen by more than 50% worldwide

A team led by Hagai Levine, from the School of Public Health, which included Hadassah Braun from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Shanna Swan, from the Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai (USA) along with researchers from Denmark, Brazil, Spain, Israel and the USA published the first analysis that would demonstrate declining sperm counts among men in South and Central America, Asia, and Africa.

And almost five years ago, a study raised concern about the end of ‘procreation’, which described a precipitous decrease in the number of sperm. That is why, This new study generates even more fear of a possible looming global fertility crisis.

According to the study, the rate of decline is accelerating, since according to the 2017 analysis, this plummeted by more than 50% among men in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

It should be noted that the number of sperm is not only an indicator of human fertility; It is also an indicator of men’s health, since Low levels are associated with a higher risk of chronic diseases, testicular cancer, and shorter life expectancy.

That is why the authors of the project affirm that this decline reflects a global crisis related to our modern environment and lifestyle, with broad implications for the survival of the human species.

This analysis, which was published in the journal Human Reproduction Update, with data from 53 countries, shows for the first time that men in those regions They share the significant decrease in total sperm count (TSC) and sperm concentration (SC). Furthermore, an accelerated decline was evident after 2000 in TSC and SC worldwide.

“We are seeing a significant global decline in sperm count of more than 50% over the past 46 years, a decline that has accelerated in recent years,” Hagai Levine said.

Likewise, he pointed out that according to research in recent years, alterations in the development of the reproductive tract during fetal life They are related to impaired fertility throughout life and other markers of reproductive dysfunction. Furthermore, he added that lifestyle choices and chemicals in the environment are negatively affecting fetal development.

“Our findings serve as a canary in a coal mine. We have a serious problem on our hands that, if not mitigated, could threaten the survival of humanity. We urgently call for global action to promote healthier environments for all species and reduce exposures and behaviors that threaten our reproductive health,” warned the author of the analysis.

For her part, Shanna Swan emphasized that by not mitigating this serious problem, the survival of humanity could be endangered.

It must be taken into account that neither in this analysis, nor in that of previous years, have the causes of this decrease been examined, however, some research suggests that Environmental and lifestyle factors may be to blame, as well as smoking and obesity.