Scientists have spent decades trying to untangle puzzling questions over falling sperm concentrations. A new analysis of 25 studies of pesticides shows a clear connection, researchers say.

A prolonged decline in male fertility in the form of sperm concentrations appears to be connected to the use of pesticides, according to a study published Wednesday.

Researchers compiled, rated and reviewed the results of 25 studies of certain pesticides and male fertility and found that men who had been exposed to certain classes of pesticides had significantly lower sperm concentrations. The study, published Wednesday in Environmental Health Perspectives, included data from more than 1,700 men and spanned several decades.

“No matter how we looked at the analysis and results, we saw a persistent association between increasing levels of insecticide and decreases in sperm concentration,” said study author Melissa Perry, who is an environmental epidemiologist and the dean of the College of Public Health at George Mason University. “I would hope this study would get the attention of regulators seeking to make decisions to keep the public safe from inadvertent, unplanned impacts of insecticides.”

  • BolexForSoup@kbin.social
    1·
    1 year ago

    It is slowing down. I would do some research into the extensive publications out there about this topic. We have been studying it for probably a solid century at this point and unlike most social talking points, it’s pretty easy to look at the math/findings and come to reasonable conclusions. You’re kind of leaning into the “child free“ rhetoric, more specifically the anti-natalist pocket of that world. Nothing wrong with not wanting kids but the people who are very vocal about that stuff and congregate on online communities basically act as if we’re all going to run out of food and water tomorrow.