The male sperm cell production dwindle over time, allegedly due to increased pollution that contaminate food and the environment. The impact not only reduce fertility, but also increase the risk of cancer in men.

Research conducted by experts from the University of Turku in Finland showed that the number of male sperm cells began to decrease since the late 1970s. Only in 10 years, the average number of sperm produced by men has decreased by about 30 percent.

Research conducted in Finland that note, the number of sperm produced by men born in 1979-1981 was about 227 million / ml. Men born in 1982-1983 to produce 202 million sperm / ml, while the above was born in 1983 produced only 165 million / ml.

Although only performed in Finland, the results of this study is believed to be an indicator of male fertility in the world. The reason for this Finnish man considered the most 'manly' in terms of fertility, since sperm production average more than any other man in the world.

Besides observing that fewer sperm production, researchers also saw the risk of cancer in men who tended to increase. Compared to the group of men born in the era of the 1950s, testicular cancer is more common in men who were born after the 1980's.


Experts suspect, both of these are caused by pollutants that contaminate food and the environment. Pollution is increasing from time to time trigger disturbances in the growth of male fetuses while still in the womb, especially related to the reproductive system.

"Decreased production of sperm and the increased risk of testicular cancer occur simultaneously, so that the suspected cause is pollution that could have prevented," writes Prof. Jorma Toppari, who led the study, as quoted by the BBC on Monday (07/03/2011).

Prof. Toppari advised to follow up the findings of the investigative studies to identify any pollutants that trigger such changes. Later, if it has been ascertained the cause, sperm production can be maintained so as not to continue to dwindle in the next generation.