'TV cuts sperm count'

Published Aug 15, 2016

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THE Olympics might be providing a vibrant festival of sport for armchair fans the world over, but for men hoping to become a father at any point in the future the games could spell problems ahead.

Researchers have found watching more than five hours of TV a day can slash a man's sperm count by a third.

Experts at Copenhagen University studied 1 200 healthy young men to see if a couch potato lifestyle affected their fertility.

The results, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, showed binge-watchers had sperm counts of 37 million per millilitre of fluid, compared to 52 million per millilitre among men who hardly ever watched TV.

They also had lower levels of the male hormone testosterone, which the body needs to produce sperm.

But scientists found spending time sitting at computers does not appear to have the same adverse effect.

This may be because those who watch too much TV are less likely to be exercising or eating healthily, which are crucial habits for maintaining fertility.

The finding backs up a 2013 US study which found 15 hours of exercise a week could boost sperm quality.

Several studies over the last 20 years have pointed to a worrying decline in men’s sperm count.

Some scientists blame high-fat junk food diets, while others say it is caused by traces of the contraceptive pill in drinking water. Another potential suspect is a chemical called BPA used in some plastics.

The latest investigation indicates the biggest factor may simply be men’s laziness and a love of TV.

The Danish team screened young men signing up for military service between 2008 and 2012. Each one was quizzed on their viewing habits and gave a sperm sample for testing. – Daily Mail

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