Cola reduces sperm counts

The effect of caffeine on sperm count and quality remains hotly debated. Some studies have shown no difference but again there are others that suggest some effect of excess caffeine intake.

In coming to a conclusion, it is good to look at studies which study large number of patients. The larger the numbers of patients, the more likely the results are to be correct. So when the recent study in the American Journal of Epidemiology entitled “Caffeine intake and semen quality in a population of 2,554 young Danish men” concluded that heavy intake of cola depressed sperm counts by approximately 30%, we have to look seriously at the results due to the large number of men followed up over an extended period of time (four years). Whether this is due to the high intake of caffeine or to some other ingredient in cola is not known.

There was no effect on mild to moderate drinkers of cola, so for those of us who enjoy an occassional cola drink, there seems to be little or no risk. However, like  all good things in life, moderation is the key. Apart from cola, other sources of caffiene include tea, coffee and chocolate.

We reached a milestone this week as the world’s population crossed 7 billion. We breached 6 billion in 1999 so it took us only twelve short years to add a billion humans to our already stretched resources. That means 1000 million in twelve years or an astounding 83 million every year! As governments ponder on how to feed, clothe, employ, provide social services and look after the health of these extra people, another increasing trend is also at play- the falling of fertility and birth rates worldwide. So whilst population continues to escalate, another segment of humanity struggles to have even one child to call their own. Such is the dilemma of the policymakers- to encourage population control while at the same time providing fertility services to those in need.  And since we are already overpopulated, it is no surprise that governments do not spend large sums on free or subsidised fertility clinics.

Now do you see why infertility treatment is mainly available in the private sector worldwide, and not in government hospitals? Or that even in public hospitals, you still have to pay for it when most other services (eg childbirth) are heavily subsidised or free?

Good Nutrition improves male fertility

More links between food and sperm. Researchers at the University of Murcia in Spain, enrolled young male volunteers into a study to assess the effects of diet on sperm quality. The first group were asked to eat a “western” diet – a diet rich in red meat, refined carbs, sweets and energy drinks. The second group were asked to eat a ”prudent” diet- a diet rich in fish, fruit, vegetables and grains.

After three months, sperm tests were done to assess sperm parameters such as concentration(sperm count), motility (movement) and morphology (shape). Those who had the prudent diet demonstrated significantly better sperm movement while the sperm of men with the western diets was found to be less likely to survive the journey to fertilise an egg, the researchers said.

So here is simple advice for men trying to start families. Eat healthy and your partner is likely to get pregnant faster. In Malaysia, we are blessed with an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and grain (rice). Eat like our parents and we will reproduce as they did!

Junk food affects sperm quality

We are what we eat. Time and again we are told this but choose to ignore it. A recent study conducted in the US shows surprisingly strong association between the intake of junk food and quality of sperm. It appears that a diet high in trans fatty acids, found abundantly in junk foods and snacks, reduces sperm quality. This in turn reduces the ability of sperm to fertilise an egg and can lead to lower pregnancy chances for the female partner.

Young men between the ages of 18 to 22 years old were asked to keep a food diary and this was correlated to their sperm quality. Those with the highest intake of junk foods had the lowest quality. The lead author of the study, Audrey Gaskins says “The main overall finding of our work is that a healthy diet seems to be beneficial for semen quality.”

Nicely put, Audrey. Now all we have to do is convince the young gentlemen in our families to eat healthy. Given modern lifestyles of the young, it seems like a tall order.

Azoospermia may be treatable

Finally, some light for those who have azoospermia, ie have no sperm at all. Till now this has been completely untreatable and the couple have had no option but to adopt a child or use donor sperm. The work on artificial sperm has been ongoing for many years with some sporadic successes reported. This report however, is the closest we have been to viable artificial sperm from which offspring have been born. While the work relates to laboratory mice, it is only a matter of time (beware, this may take years) before we begin to see human work. Ongoing work will have to demonstrate that this is a safe procedure without genetic defects in the offspring before any human sperm development is attempted.

If you are not squeamish, here is a photo of the mouse calves born after the use of the artificial sperm. They are identical to the real calves in every way.

Azoospermia may be treatable

We salute the Japanese scientists for their breakthrough in this area of research.