The key risk factors that might impact the quality of sperm, resulting in infertility, were discovered in a study published in the journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. Researchers from the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, identified the most hazardous factors that might harm sperm material and quality.

Pollution, smoking, varicocele, diabetes, testicular tumors, and aging were found to have the most significant impact on sperm cell quality and might significantly impair the fragmentation of sperms genetic content.

The researchers analyzed 27,000 papers, making it the most extensive meta-analysis. The current study found that smoking increased DNA fragmentation by an average of 9.19% compared to nonsmokers. Neither alcohol use nor body weight had a clinically significant effect on sperm quality.

Certain illnesses, such as Chlamydia and HPV, had little effect on sperm quality, whereas bacterial or other sexually transmitted diseases caused more DNA fragmentation (8.98% and 5.54%).

According to prior research, the fertility rate in Western industrialized countries is declining: one in every six couples struggles with infertility. There are several reasons, with males accounting for nearly half of the cases.

One cause might be a high rate of DNA fragmentation. As a result, doctors advise optimizing lifestyle variables even before trying for a kid. For example, quitting smoking, engaging in regular physical activity, or eating more healthily might be an excellent place to start.

(Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/scientists-identify-risk-factors-that-damage-sperm-lead-to-male-infertility-2364989-2023-04-26)