Men are becoming more and more barren

The decline in the birth rate in the western industrial nations is not only due to social and social upheaval: more and more men are becoming infertile and thus unable to produce. For this reason, couples in the past often choose the method of artificial insemination.

More and more men are becoming less fertile in the western industrial nations. For the sharp drop in birth rates in Germany and other Western countries, scientists are increasingly focusing on the fertility of men. At the same time it can be observed that more and more couples are using the option of artificial insemination.

Increasing lack of quality of sperm from men
What is certain is that the decline in the birth rate has to do with the social upheavals. For many people, professional development is becoming increasingly important. Children are often perceived as a disruptive factor. Other social innovations such as the further development of contraceptives (pill) have certainly led to the decline. The increasing fertility of men is almost never discussed in the public context. Like the independent foundation „European Science Foundation (ESF)“ reported, the increasing lack of quality of men's sperm causes massive fertility problems. In the EU zone, there are 10.7 newborns per 1000 citizens. The birth rate is falling sharply, especially in Germany, where the rate is 1000 inhabitants / 7.9 newborns.

"The possibilities of artificial insemination are being used more and more frequently in Europe," said reproductive physician and andrologist Prof. Stefan Schlatt from the University of Münster. "Recent studies indicate that the reasons may be related to the decline in male fertility."

In the western hemisphere, sperm density has been falling sharply in the western hemisphere, especially among young men. "In most cases, this does not directly affect reproduction," says Schlatt. "But there are also more men in which the sperm density falls below a critical level and thus makes fertilization less likely." The proportion of the hormone testosterone decreases in men. According to study results, severe diseases such as testicular cancer and antenatal developmental disorders of the testicles and penis are becoming increasingly common. All of these factors affect the fertility of men and lower the birth rate.

Backgrounds of increasing infertility
In the search of the backgrounds, the researchers are still struggling. You suspect the reasons, especially in the unhealthy lifestyle. "Individual relationships are known, lifestyle factors such as obesity and smoking certainly contribute to the problems, and we also have clues at the genetic level," said one of the study authors. Really comprehensive is the context not yet explored. In any case, it has been proven that sufferers often suffer from type 2 diabetes and obesity. " Here science should start again.

But other researchers go a step further. In focus is the industrial plasticizer substance „Bisphenol A“. The chemical is mainly used to make baby bottles, pacifiers, food packaging, thermal paper, plastic bottles and many other commodities. A study by the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor has shown that bisphenol A severely affects the quality of male sperm. In men who had high BPA concentrations, a 23 percent lower seed concentration and about 10 percent more DNA damage was found. So far, the EU could not bring itself to ban the harmful substance. It remains incomprehensible why the European Food Safety Authority EFSA continues to classify the chemical as harmless to the consumer. Countries such as France or Canada have decided to ban at least bisphenol-A for children's products. (sb, 21.10.2010)

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