By Dona Suri
In a study published last month, the researchers concluded that decline in male fertility appears to be connected to the use of pesticides. The study, published in November in Environmental Health Perspectives, included data from more than 1,700 men and spanned several decades. The research team was led by Melissa Perry, an environmental epidemiologist and dean of the College of Public Health at George Mason University.
Naturally, the report has gained a lot of attention and Perry has been widely quoted:
“We believe insecticide exposure is impacting overall sperm concentration. The message is we need to reduce insecticide exposure in order to ensure men who are planning a family or want to conceive children are able to do that without interference.”
You don’t get more dire than that. And no two ways about it, the whole topic is highly sensitive and likely to trigger responses that are emotional, defensive, and nonscientific. Traditionally, if a couple had no children after years of marriage, it was always assumed that it was the woman’s “fault”.
“Sperm counts plummet worldwide” lands a devastating wallop on men’s self-identity, and it has huge consequences for overall health, societal and economic trends.
But is it really true? Based on what data? Where is the evidence coming from?
If researchers wanted data on red blood cell count, or lipid profiles, or kidney function, such data is routinely collected. The data base is huge and can be sliced up by nation, ethnicity, gender, age, etc, But no where is it routine to record measures of male reproductive health. Even an individual man is unlikely to know anything about his sperm count. Having a very big routine surveillance system for reproductive indicators would be a good thing. But, in the absence of a lot of data, how is it possible to identify trends in semen quality? The fact is that researchers have to rely on published reports in isolated times and locations and in relatively small subsets of men.
We point this out, not to debunk studies calling attention to men’s reproductive health, but to say that we can’t conclude that the sky is falling without a lot more reliable and detailed information. The researchers themselves are aware of this. As Swan writes:
The dangers of neglecting a true decline in SCs are far more serious than reporting a decline that does not exist. Ignoring the potential decline and its causes can lead to irreversible damage to human and planetary health, which, at some point, could become an existential threat, even if odds seem currently low. The cost of delayed action is high, whereas that of investment in research and precautionary measures is minimal in comparison to that potential damage.
The studies (and there are many) pin the blame on two things:
Change in diet change (processed foods replace unprocessed ones).
Increase in exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.
The George Mason University study looked at the chemicals – specifically …
Organophosphates: Commonly used in agriculture as pesticide, also found in household products.
N-methyl carbamates: Similar to organophosphates, used in agriculture and in the home.
They extensively examined 25 global studies related to the two chemicals, incorporating 20 studies into a meta-analysis. These studies investigated 42 different impact levels across 1,774 men in 21 distinct study populations.
Conclusion: men with higher exposure to organophosphates and N-methyl carbamates, particularly those working in agriculture, exhibited significantly lower sperm concentrations* compared to men with minimal exposure.
* Sperm concentration: number of sperm per milliliter of semen,
* Sperm count: enumerates the millions of sperm in the entire ejaculate.
Sperm count, in conjunction with the total number of progressively swimming sperm in the semen, holds greater significance in predicting fertility.
Every year, 15 million pounds of organophosphates are spread on US agricultural fields, lawns and gardens. Precise data for use of N-methyl carbamates is not available, but it is probably just as common. In the case of organophosphates, the chemical has been linked to cancer, while exposure during pregnancy is tied to neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism. Both chemicals are neurotoxins. As pesticides, they work by damaging an enzyme that regulates an insect’s nerve signals sent throughout its body. In humans, the chemicals appear to interfere with the human endocrine system’s hormone production. They …
Interfere with testosterone production,
Deform the sperm cells that are produced, rendering them less likely to fertilize an egg,
Reduce the ability of sperm to move, making it difficult for them to reach an egg.
Damage testes cells,
Alter neurotransmission in the brain related to reproductive purposes.
A few months back, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is accelerating new regulations for some types of organophosphates because they are much more toxic than previously thought.
Perry very rightly observes
It shouldn’t be up to each individual person to solve this. Insecticide exposure is a public health issue and we really need to look toward policy solutions that recognize that a health threat exists.
Meanwhile, what can a man do to protect his fertility?
Eat healthy: Good diet boosts sperm production
Quit smoking and avoid smokers
Limit alcohol consumption
Choose vegetables/fruits/grain grown without pesticides
Wash fruits and vegetables: Pesticide residues can be present even on organic produce.
Avoid exposure to environmental toxins: Heavy metals and air pollution damage sperm.
For couples that want to start a family but are feeling discouraged because things aren’t happening as fast as they would like, the good news is that modern medical treatments can often solve the problem.
The first thing is to figure out if there actually is a problem and identify exactly what that problem is.
For men, this means semen analysis. Test results will provide precise information on
Sperm count
Sperm motility
Sperm morphology
A test result that comes back with “low sperm count”, “low motility”, “abnormal morphology” is NOT the end of the world or hopes of fatherhood. Many treatments are available to restore sperm health. Remember, lots of things affect sperm health and male fertility issues are every bit as complex as female fertility issues. Some problems require a lifestyle overhaul, others may require assisted fertility treatments and yet others, can be solved by a simple course of antibiotics.