New Delhi: New research has revealed that sperm quality and lifespan are linked in a way that may come as a shock to many. According to a study by Denmark’s Copenhagen University Hospital, men with a higher sperm quality, on average, live 2-3 years longer than those with lower sperm quality. Men whose sperm was more abundant and mobile had a markedly better life span, according to a five-decade study. The findings provide new insight into male reproductive health and its implications more broadly.
A Longitudinal Study on Sperm Viability and Lifespan
The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, looked at sperm samples from over 78,000 men. Men who had more than 120 million motile sperm per ejaculation—motile sperm are capable of swimming through the female reproductive tract—had an average increase in life span of 2.7 years compared to those with lower sperm counts, the study found. This finding is considered significant for fertility health as well as overall health and future health outcomes.
Key Findings from the Study
The study was conducted by Dr. Lærke Priskorn and Dr. Niels Jørgensen from Copenhagen University Hospital. Between 1965 and 2015, researchers measured semen samples from 78,284 men. Infertility concerns primarily referred these men for a fertility work-up. It then analysed the three semen parameters—semen volume, sperm concentration, and motile sperm count—with how they correlated with life expectancy.
They found a striking link between sperm quality and longevity. Men with high-quality sperm lived longer than men with lower sperm counts. The research also found that sperm quality was not significantly associated with educational background or medical history in the last 10 years.
A Noticeable Fall in Sperm Quality
The quality of sperm, experts say, might not only be a sign of reproductive capacity but an indication of general health, too. Men who have low-quality sperm run a heightened risk of serious health problems, including heart disease and cancer. “Instead of isolating health tests for the future, semen quality tests can give a positive signal of the risk for future illness,” Dr. Niels Jørgensen said. And some seem healthy during fertility checks but go on to develop serious illnesses.
Implications for Men’s Health
This work is a critical advancement for relevant knowledge about male health and longevity. Researchers suspect that monitoring sperm quality can predict fertility and may even be a marker of general health and life expectancy. Likewise, as reproductive health awareness spreads, these findings may provide a foundation for better approaches to earlier health interventions and lifestyle changes.