Danish researchers have uncovered a potential connection between sperm count and longevity in men, suggesting that higher sperm counts could be associated with longer lifespans.
A study conducted by Copenhagen University Hospital, which analysed semen samples from nearly 80,000 men over five decades, revealed that men with a “total motile sperm count of more than 120 million” could live almost three years longer than those with lower counts.
Published in the Oxford University Press journal Human Reproduction, the study found that men with higher sperm counts had an average lifespan of 80.3 years, compared to 77.6 years for men with a “total motile count of 0-5 million.” This research builds on previous studies that have hinted at a connection between male infertility, poor semen quality, and increased mortality rates.
Lead author Lærke Priskorn explained that the study aimed to test the hypothesis linking semen quality to lifespan while also exploring whether pre-existing health conditions could influence the results.
“We wanted to get an absolute estimate of how much semen quality predicts a man’s lifespan and to understand whether diagnosed diseases prior to semen quality assessment might explain some of the reported association,” she said.
The findings suggest that low sperm counts and poor semen quality may be indicators of declining health in later life. Consultant andrologist Dr Niels Jørgensen emphasised the need for further research to better understand the relationship between semen quality and overall health.
“We need to better understand the association between semen quality and men’s general health,” he stated in a release by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Dr Jørgensen also highlighted the importance of identifying subgroups of men who appear healthy at the time of semen analysis but may be at higher risk of developing certain diseases later in life. This could help refine the understanding of how semen quality serves as a potential marker for long-term health outcomes.
While the study provides intriguing insights, researchers caution that more work is needed to fully establish the link between sperm count and lifespan. The findings open up new avenues for exploring how reproductive health might reflect broader health trends in men, offering potential clues for early intervention and improved longevity. – dpa
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