We have all heard that bad habits such as smoking and using drugs or alcohol decrease the quality of sperm and cause infertility. However, a new study published in the journal Human Reproduction could disprove these claims.
The researchers, from the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield, analyzed the number of motile sperm in sperm samples from more than 4,000 men, who were also surveyed about their lifestyle habits.
The results revealed that men who had received some type of surgery on their testicles, those who did not wear boxer underwear, those of black race and those who performed manual work ejaculated less motile sperm. However, neither tobacco, alcohol, or drug use nor being overweight had a significant effect.
No effect on motile sperm
“Although our habits have an impact on other aspects of health, the results suggest that many lifestyles probably have little effect on fertility,” explains Andrew Povey of the University of Manchester.
The researchers measured the number of motile sperm since it is a variable that is generally indicative of fertility , and it is also used in clinics to choose the type of treatment in couples who have problems conceiving.
However, they do not rule out that bad habits can affect other parameters. “It is possible that lifestyle has an impact on other variables that we have not measured, such as the size and shape of the sperm, or the quality of the DNA contained in them. We will have to study these aspects further,” Allan stressed. Pacey, another of the study’s authors.
