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sperm count

Decreases sperm count in western men

As published in recent weeks, sperm count in western men have declined over the past four decades. This entails numerous reproductive problems in couples, which find it an impediment to creating their own families.

In Proiser we had already observed that the amount of sperm had been significantly reduced in recent decades. And we urge our users to change habits to improve the quality and quantity of sperm they generate in their reproductive system. If you want to know more about it, don’t hesitate and read this article. A text we have written inspired by the publication of these in the 20 minute newspaper, which in turn echoes the report of the Human Reproduction Update, directed by Dr. Hagai Levine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. A document that has managed to get a spot on the BBC’s news agenda and has reached the world.

 

Sperm count in western men

Sperm counts have declined alarmingly among men in Western countries over the past forty years. Lack of physical activity, obesity, poor postural habits, stress, or smoking are some of the factors that have influenced the progressive decline in sperm count among first world male inhabitants.

The research to which the report just made public refers is one of the largest that has been carried out so far. It brings together the results of a total of 185 studies carried out between 1973 and 2011, worldwide.

Sperm count. Proiser

The results obtained highlight that while South America, Asia and Africa do not see significant changes in sperm production, it does exist in the rest of the continents. Dr. Levine found a 52,4% decrease in sperm concentration and a 59,3% decrease in total sperm among samples taken from men in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. This means that the survival of the human species in certain parts of the world is clearly at risk. And we need to put in place mechanisms that will stop this trend if we do not want to extinguish. This trend, far from being slowed, seems to increase year after year.

These falls in sperm production are directly related, as the research shows, to the population’s exposure to chemicals, to the use of plastics, to the fast and sedentary life rate we carry in western societies, but above all it is directly related to obesity, smoking, and even the amount of hours we spend in front of screens like television. The excess temperature in the genital area directly affects the quality of the samples and the rate of activity that sperm have in these cases.

This work, however, is not welcomed by the entire scientific community. And there are researchers who say that the unchanged group may not be such, as the reality highlights that there are fewer studies in South America, Asia, and Africa, so comparisons cannot be developed with the same absolute terms.

sperm count

At Proiser, as specialists in everything that is related to human reproduction, we are aware that beyond the figures the reality is clear: The quality of the sperm is getting worse and worse, which makes reproduction difficult even when assisted. Therefore, to those who wish to be parents, we always tell them that they must begin to take care of themselves because any gesture, any activity they perform directly affects this natural capacity of their organism.

espermatozoide

Sperm quality and subpopulation behavior.

The quality of sperm in a semen sample does not depend, as previously thought, on the individual quality of sperm samples. On the contrary, it depends on the joint action of sperm subpopulations.

 

This conclusion, which is based on a clear research premise, has been made possible by the work of researchers from the University of Valencia and the PROISER Company.

 

Sperm quality: A job of many years

The study on sperm behavior and sperm quality in different samples has been the main objective of the Department of Cell Biology, Functional and Physical Anthropology of the University of Valencia for several decades. A line of research that has been supported by the Valencian company PROISER, dedicated to the diagnosis of semen samples and which has developed revolutionary software to reveal parameters of sperm samples and give answers on sperm morphometry.

Sperm morphology is a line of study and work that is based on the correct identification of sperm involved in the reproduction function of some internal fertilization species.

An area of work in which the members of the research team of the University of Valencia raised the need to check the starting point of many of the work that had been carried out in the laboratories. Works that claimed that the success of fertilization depended on the health of a sperm and its individual ability.

However, thanks to the trials carried out by the professionals of the University of Valencia, it was possible to verify that the way sperm behave in a reproduction process is mainly due to the joint action of them and the coordination they develop with each other.

Hence the main element of work in internal in Vitro fertilization processes is no longer a single sperm, but a sample of them.

computer assisted counting. sperm quality

Sperm analysis. – CASA System

The findings of this study revolutionized the field of assisted reproduction by offering answers and solutions around male fertility with internal fertilization.

 

Reference in the field of reproduction

With this new work, which has been echoed by numerous scientific journals, a change in assisted reproduction strategy has been defined, both in its veterinary and human applications. What has made both the University of Valencia and the company PROISER a reference for the rest of the laboratories and entities that carry out their work in this field.

This new milestone adds to other PROISER findings in the same area. This private entity has been developing computer programs and applications for more than a decade that favor successful seminal analysis. In fact, it is noted as a leading company in the development of different systems of sperm analysis that in the professional field are known as “Computer Assisted Semen Analysis“. A quantification system that has full implementation today.

PROISER. sperm quality

CASA System

In this way, PROISER continues to advance and place Valencian talent at the top of the international ranking.

Assisted reproduction. Proiser

Security measures to resume assisted reproduction

The Ministry of Health authorized the resumption of Assisted Reproduction Units at the end of May, provided that the necessary measures can be implemented to guarantee the safety of patients and health personnel.

 

In the Valencian Community, 21,000 assisted reproduction treatments are carried out every year and although the new situation will delay waiting lists somewhat, priority will be given to alleviating the emotional strain that the postponement of these treatments has meant for many families.

There are many doubts that patients have now, since the maximum age to access treatments by Social Security is 40 years. Many women have reached this age in full confinement, but Dr. Rubio of the Hospital la Fe in Valencia comments that “there will be no problem with any woman who has started her medical record before the Alarm State. Although they are already 40 years old, they will continue their treatment”.

In Proiser we advise you to follow this link for more information.

PROISER. anonymity of donors

The Bioethics Committee asks the Government to end the anonymity of sperm and ova donors

The Assisted Reproduction Law only provides for reporting the identity of biological parents for medical reasons

 

The Spanish Bioethics Committee has asked the Government to change the law that regulates assisted reproduction treatments in Spain and to end the anonymity of ova and sperm donors. The proposal, embodied in a report that has been debated for months, aims to prioritize the “interests of children born by assisted reproductive techniques.” Although the petition is not retroactive, it would not affect children already born.

Spanish reproductive medicine not only meets the needs of the indigenous population but has also become the best international destination for fertility treatment. The quality of the treatments is one of the reasons why Spanish medical centres are chosen, but also the anonymity of donors. In several countries this has already disappeared and with it has brought a gigantic drop in the donation of gametes.

Until now, only the age and blood group of the donors were communicated to the recipients, but the bioethical organism considering another perspective that “it can only be up to the child of these techniques to decide whether or not he wants to know and to what extent”.

In Proiser we advise you to follow this link for more information.