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Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

scientificamerican.com

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Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#81

Post by diogenescynic »

cameldrv wrote: post #72

My belief is that the primary cause is environmental chemicals, specifically Phthalates and BPA (and related chemicals). The science on this is fairly conclusive. We can show that these chemicals bind to estrogen receptors, that they're present in everyone's body, and that if you're acutely exposed to a higher dose, your testosterone goes down. In my opinion, these chemicals are having social and cultural effects bey…

And all the flame retardants and anti-stick coatings on practically every surface we touch and interact with all day, every day. These are all hormone disrupters.

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#82

Post by [deleted] »

cameldrv wrote: post #72

My belief is that the primary cause is environmental chemicals, specifically Phthalates and BPA (and related chemicals). The science on this is fairly conclusive. We can show that these chemicals bind to estrogen receptors, that they're present in everyone's body, and that if you're acutely exposed to a higher dose, your testosterone goes down. In my opinion, these chemicals are having social and cultural effects bey…

[deleted]

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#83

Post by Fishman343 »

andreime wrote: post #44
Fishman343 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You say eating healthier, but obesity and diabetes are at all time highs in most of the western world, I don't think it's that cut and dry.

We're also a lot more sedentary. I am convinced without being able to produce proof, that this is the biggest problem - the lack of physical work. I used to believe we eat shit, but my ancestors were really poor and basically ate just a few food types most of their life. I think I've come a long way and am convinced that, even if I were to eat a very occasional McDonalds, it'd still be eating a lot better. It's a lot…

Nutritionally I see what you mean and definitely agree, people are taller than they used to be and until recently have lived longer. But all of the benefits a nutritionally diverse and rich diet brings are easily undone (and more) by also consuming enough sugar to become obese. This is why the current generation of obese kids at school have a lower life expectancy than their parents despite better healthcare and nutrition in their early years.

This is why I think that jumping on the "BPA must be the problem!" answer to low count question is a bit ridiculous, especially when people are becoming more unhealthy by the day. People who eat more processed sugary foods and drinks that come in BPA containing packaging are also more likely to be obese and unhealthy too.

Lacking physical work also does not account for all of the weight gain we are seeing at the moment - obesity rates remained stable in the '60s and '70s when we lived similarly lazy lives. (1)

1. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsr043743#t=article

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#84

Post by felixbraun »

rsync wrote: post #48

Unless this is adjusted for activity levels (western folks are extremely sedentary - especially in the US) and weight I am not sure it is interesting. Obesity is negatively correlated with male fertility[1] and 3/4 of the US is obese or overweight[2]. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3521747/ [2] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statisti...

Countries with low obesity levels show the same trend [1]; just look at e.g. Denmark (18.2%) [2].

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10655308 [2] (PDF) http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/243294/D...

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#85

Post by AndrewKemendo »

scottLobster wrote: post #55
whalesalad wrote: post #42

Are cell phones in our pockets to blame? The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27601711 More info here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27076112 Also here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26949865 And here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26206279 Here too: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24982785 More fuel for the fire: https:…

Given that this decline apparently started in 1973, I'd say they're probably not the deciding factor.

I feel like something happened in the early 70s that just made progress slow way down. I keep seeing bad trends start in the 1970s - like stagnant wage growth (1971), increased inequality (1971) etc...

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#86

Post by [deleted] »

scottLobster wrote: post #55
whalesalad wrote: post #42

Are cell phones in our pockets to blame? The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27601711 More info here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27076112 Also here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26949865 And here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26206279 Here too: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24982785 More fuel for the fire: https:…

Given that this decline apparently started in 1973, I'd say they're probably not the deciding factor.

[deleted]

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#87

Post by jermaustin1 »

Passthepeas wrote: post #80
themodelplumber wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I dunno. Just on the face of what you're saying, it's probably worth pointing out that dogs also spend a lot of time around devices used by humans. So what about e.g. wild dogs?

laptops can make your balls overheat and cause problems, I remember that being an actual problem.

Do people actually put laptops in their laps?

My 12" ultra-portable sits on my desk at home/office. When commuting if I'm using it, it will sit on my backpack on my lap.

My 17" laptop that is heavier than my desktop, stays on the kitchen table.

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#89

Post by Raphmedia »

simonsarris wrote: post #73

People offering human-centric explanations like cell phones: Note also that the sperm quality of dogs has decreased 30% since 1988. https://elpais.com/elpais/2016/08/09/ciencia/1470755907_2432... https://www.nature.com/articles/srep31281 This suggests its more environmental, chemical, diet-based, etc.

Perhaps global warming could play a role. It affects reptiles a lot (limiting fertility, making it so that there are more females than males, turning males into females, etc.)

Re: Sperm Count Dropping in Western World

#90

Post by kaybe »

jordache wrote: post #11
jlebrech wrote: post #9

basic biology, plenty of hormones floating around so you're not so essential to the survival of the species.

yeah right.. evolution observed in the tiny span of time that is recorded modern science?

The record of human evolution we know of is ~3000 years:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-altitude_adaptation_in_hu...

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