According to a 2017 study, the sperm count of men in the west has dropped by 50% since the early 1970s. This means that western men now share equally with women reasons why a couple can’t conceive.
So what can be done about it?
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference was held in Vienna last month. A study of male infertility looked at the benefits of taking sperm directly from the testes. This study showed that sperm taken direct from the testicles of infertile men was on par with the sperm from fertile men.
Taking sperm directly from the testicles rather than using semen, could help couples conceive through IVF. The approach has been used for some time in males who have fertility issues such as a blockage in the tubes. This could now be extended to couples that are having trouble conceiving through IVF for unexplained reasons.
The research suggests that it may not be the sperm itself that is flawed
The issue could be the journey taken from the testes to ejaculation, where the sperm DNA encounters damage.
Scientists examined testicular sperm samples with ejaculated sperm samples from both fertile and infertile men. DNA damage to ejaculated sperm was much higher in infertile men.
- 40% of infertile men had DNA damage to their ejaculated sperm
- Only 15% of fertile men had DNA damage to ejaculated sperm
- Testicular sperm taken from both the infertile and fertile men showed the sperm cells were of similar quality.
At the moment, ejaculated sperm tends to be used in fertility treatments such as IVF. However, the study suggests that sperm acquired directly from the testes could be the way forward. This is helpful for men who have highly fragmented DNA in ejaculated sperm leading to failed IVF cycles.
Further research is probably needed before this becomes routine, but the study suggests it may become a common feature of IVF. It is clear that male infertility research needs high quality, large-scale studies as seen in female infertility research.
The problem with the diminishing quality of sperm is not going away any time soon! This particular study, highlighting potential options for men facing infertility is most welcome.
