Men who perform physically demanding jobs and regularly lift heavy objects have higher sperm counts and higher testosterone levels, according to a new study.
The study that found this link is part of a larger effort to explore how environmental exposure to chemicals and lifestyles affect reproductive health.
“We already know that exercise is associated with numerous health benefits. including those seen in reproductive health, but several studies have analyzed how occupational factors may contribute to these benefits,” said study author Lydia Minges-Alarcón.
For a reproductive epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and co-investigator of the larger Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) study, these findings are key.
“These new data indicate that physical activity during work may also be associated with a significant improvement in male reproductive potential.”, he stated.
The EARTH study is the result of a collaboration between the Harvard School of Public Health. T. H. Chan and the Mass General Brigham Health System.
The researchers collected samples and interviewed data from more than 1,500 men and women.
Higher sperm concentration
The latest study recently published in the journal human reproduction, focused on a subset of this overall group, which includes 377 male partners in couples seeking fertility treatment.
They found that men who frequently lifted or moved heavy objects at work had a 46% higher sperm concentration.
Their sperm count was 44% higher than men with less physical work.. These men also had higher levels of the male sex hormone testosterone and, surprisingly, the female hormone estrogen.
“Contrary to what some people remember from biology class, “male” and “female” hormones are found in both sexes, but in different amounts,” Minges-Alarcón explained.
About 40% of infertility cases can be attributed to the male factor. These include sperm count, sperm quality, and sexual function.
Sperm count and sperm quality are believed to be the main factors behind the increase in male infertility.
“In addition, there is growing evidence that male infertility is associated with common chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease, highlighting the broader importance of male reproductive health,” Minges-Alarcón said.
Source: La Opinion
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