The Modern Challenge to Male Fertility and the Complex Factors Behind the Decline

It looks like men have been having problem with being fertile, and this is no longer news as you see it on news headlines, magazine front pages, and even online adverts have been selling different option on how to increase ones fertility.

In the last 40 years, sperm count in men have decreased by about 50% and testosterone level in men have been declining since 1982 with a meta analysis confirming this with over 185 studies on about 50 thousand men. The meta analysis showed that male sperm count has decreased by 52 percent, with an overall sperm count decrease of 59% within the year 1973 and 2011.

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In 1963, an average milliliter of semen would contain 99 million viable sperm cells, a stark contrast to 2011 when only 49 million viable sperm were present per milliliter. Male fertility issues now constitute about one-third of overall fertility concerns. When investigating the causes of these problems, it becomes evident that our daily exposure to certain products is a contributing factor.

These products contain Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) which binds to hormones such as Testosterone and fooling them to think that they are the hormones themselves. Hormones make up part of our endocrine system, and they signal certain activities to occur. Hormones in the body would include cortisol, testosterone, and aldosterone which are secreted through glands so organs and tissues can communicate properly.

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An example of how the endocrine system and our hormones work is when we are stressed, the brain signals the pituitary gland to secrete Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) which then goes to the adrenal gland that secretes cortisol which enters the bloodstream to increase glucose so as to deal with the stress.

With this said, EDCs such as Bisphenol-A can affect how our hormones are broken down and stored, and can change the sensitivity of the body to the real hormone. One Example of EDCs is Phthalates which is found in plastic and it is responsible for making plastic soft and flexible. This same chemical component is in floor covering, hair sprays, soap, and in over 70 household products.

With this, when a pregnant woman is exposed to Phthalates within the first trimester, there is a possibility of affecting the embryo's development thereby distrupting testosterone which will lead to decreased penis size, and lower sperm count.

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Bisphenol-A (BPA), another chemical which is found in plastics, electronics, and papers can also affect sperm count up to about 4 times lower, and decreased sperm mobility. While these chemicals are responsible for a lot of this damage, we need to also not forget that certain habits in our lives can lead to this. habits such as smoking and secondhand smoking, can also cause damage to sperm production as it can lead to decreased testosterone which leads to decrease fertility.

Surprisingly, a 2015 study revealed that smoking marijuana more than once a week can result in a 29% decrease in sperm count. It's crucial to recognize that not only external factors but also dietary elements contribute to the challenge. Nitrites and nitrates found in meat and dairy products have been associated with reduced sperm count. A study titled "A population-level decline in serum testosterone level in American men" disclosed a 1% annual decrease in testosterone among men since 1982.

The complex interplay of environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and dietary habits contributes to the concerning decline in male fertility even when we do not know. Addressing these multifaceted factors is essential for promoting reproductive health and combating the challenges posed to male fertility in contemporary society.

Reference

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1280349/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4937858/
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-bpa/index.cfm
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25697839/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16466537/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26672060/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7652773/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7483495/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7437820/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30677661/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500031/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5586815/

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