Human Health, Humanity's Longevity

 [The findings served] as a canary in a coal mine. We have a serious problem on our hands that, if not mitigated, could threaten mankind's survival."

"[Recent research indicates disturbances in the development of the reproductive tract in the womb were linked to] lifetime impairment of fertility and other markers of reproductive dysfunction."

"[Global action is required] to promote healthier environments for all species and reduce exposures and behaviours that threaten our reproductive health."

Professor Hagai Levine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

 

"[The rate of decline in sperm count has doubled since 2000]. "And we genuinely don't know why."

"Exposure to pollution, plastics, smoking, drugs, and prescribed medication, as well as lifestyle, such as obesity and poor diet, have all been suggested to be contributory factors although effects are poorly understood and ill-defined."

Sarah Martins da Silva, reproductive Medicine, University of Dundee, Scotland

(Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library/Getty Images)

First identified in 2017, new research indicates that a global decline in sperm counts is accelerating. The mysterious phenomenon first observed in the West is now identified in other parts of the world, affecting men in Asia, Africa and South America. The analysis, published in the journal Human Reproduction Update, carried out by Professor Hagai Levine of Hebrew University of Jerusalem together with Professor Shanna Swan at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York found that globally the average sperm count more than halved between the years 1973 and 2018.

Diminished sperm count fell since 1972 by about one percent annually, according to the researchers. Since 2000, however, the annual decrease on average has been over 2.6 percent each following year. The data studied emanated from 53 countries, including statistics collected since an earlier study that focused on North America, Europe and Australia.

"Overall, we're seeing a significant worldwide decline in sperm counts of over fifty percent in the past 46 years, a decline that has accelerated in recent years."  

 

The study did not include an examination of the possible causes if the declines. This latest study focused on sperm count trends among men in South America, Asia and Africa not previously examined. The significant decline in total sperm counts and sperm concentration previously identified in North America, Europe and Australia was seen to be shared by men in South America, Asia and Africa, making it quite clear that this troubling discovery is global in character.

"The troubling declines in men's sperm concentration and total sperm counts at over 1% each year as reported in our paper are consistent with adverse trends in other men's health outcomes, such as testicular cancer, hormonal disruption, and genital birth defects, as well as declines in female reproductive health."

"This clearly cannot continue unchecked."

Professor Hagai Levine

A human sperm cell. Photograph: Burazin/Getty Images