A new study suggests that air pollution levels may be a contributing factor to regional differences in sperm quality among men. Researchers analyzed semen quality and lifestyle data from 386 men undergoing fertility assessment across seven assisted reproduction centers in Spain.
Regional Differences in Sperm Quality
The study found significant regional differences in semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and total motile sperm count. Men living in northern Spain recorded the strongest semen quality overall, with an average total motile sperm count of 94.35 million, compared with 50.11 million in central Spain.
Despite the differences in semen quality, lifestyle habits and overall lifestyle patterns were broadly similar across the four regions studied. The study’s lead author, Professor Rocío Núñez-Calonge, noted that the findings may have implications beyond Spain, with studies from several countries reporting significant regional variations in semen quality, particularly in areas with marked environmental variations.
The study’s results may be relevant to the United States, where air pollution is a significant concern in many urban areas. The potential effects of air pollution on male fertility deserve further investigation, according to Núñez-Calonge.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
