Sedna
July 29, 2025, 12:40pm
1
re: Are male fertility rates shrinking? - The Straight Dope
It’s been over 20 years since this column was written.
Have there been any updates?
Are male fertility rates continuing to decline?
Does anyone have any idea of the cause?
Just curious! Thanks!!
Welcome to Straight Dope!
While this only doesn’t include the last few years, this meta-analysis says the decline is continuing:
Importantly, this analysis also demonstrates an accelerated decline in SC [sperm concentration] and TSC [total sperm count] post-2000.
Temporal trends in sperm count: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of samples collected globally in the 20th and 21st centuries
https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/29/2/157/6824414?login=false
Well, at least for those who want children, the good news is that it only takes one to get the job done. LOL
This 2020 analysis indicates several possible factors, but I don’t think that researchers have a firm idea of exactly what’s causing it.
Although causative factors have yet to be fully elucidated, potential causes include, increased rates of obesity, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins.
There exist substantial data to suggest a decline in sperm counts over time. Although causative factors have yet to be fully elucidated, potential causes include, increased rates of obesity, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins. How this...