Men with higher-quality sperm may live nearly three years longer than those with semen incapable of reaching their destination, according to new research. The large-scale study tracked more than 78,000 men over 50 years, shedding light on the link between reproductive health and overall longevity.
The ability of sperm to move efficiently through the female reproductive tract to fertilise an egg is known as motility. Researchers found that men with higher sperm motility tended to live longer lives compared to those with significantly lower sperm motility.
The finding is from a study conducted by Danish researchers. It was published on Tuesday in the journal ‘Human Reproduction’.
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‘Clear Correlation Between Sperm Motility And Longevity’
Lead study author Lærke Priskorn, a researcher and doctoral candidate at Copenhagen University Hospital — Rigshospitalet, was quoted as saying in a statement that, “in absolute terms, men with a total motile count of more than 120 million (per millilitre of semen) lived 2.7 years longer than men with a total motile count of between 0 and 5 million”.
Simply translated: A man with very poor sperm motility may have a life expectancy of up to 77.6 years. In contrast, a man with exceptionally high motility — under otherwise similar circumstances — could live up to 80.3 years.
“The fact that there is an association between semen quality and longevity is an important finding,” Dr Michael Eisenberg, professor of urology and director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, told CNN in a report about the study. He was not involved in the study.
“There have been prior studies that suggest this link between reproductive health and overall health,” Eisenberg added.
Could Sperm Quality Indicate Overall Health?
The study analysed sperm samples collected between 1965 and 2015 from men undergoing infertility assessments in Copenhagen. Researchers then compared the sperm quality with national health records from the Danish National Health Service.
“The lower the semen quality, the lower the life expectancy,” Priskorn noted. “This association was not explained by any diseases in the ten years before semen quality assessment or the men’s educational level.”
However, experts caution that the study does not necessarily imply causation, and men trying to conceive should not panic over their sperm count.
Motility counts are usually expressed as a percentage rather than a total figure. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sperm is considered normal if around 42% of sperm in a sample are capable of swimming efficiently towards the egg.
A total motility count below 5 million per millilitre of semen is considered a severe case of oligospermia (low sperm count), which can lead to infertility, the study said.
A sperm motility count of about 125 million per millilitre is considered typical for a fertile male, Eisenberg noted. However, he emphasised that high motility does not necessarily guarantee fertility.
Semen Quality As A Predictor Of Future Health Issues
If not for fertility concerns, why might semen analysis still be beneficial? Experts believe it could serve as an early indicator of male health issues.
“In men, it appears to be their semen profile that is providing the most significant information concerning their future health and wellbeing,” wrote John Aitken, a distinguished professor emeritus from the School of Environmental and Life Sciences at the University of Newcastle, Australia, in an editorial accompanying the study.
“If spermatozoa really are the canaries in the coal mine of male health, the obvious question to ask is, why?” Aitken asked. “What possible factors could link the ultimate life expectancy of males with the quality of their semen profile in early adulthood?”
Oxidative Stress: A Possible Explanation
One potential answer, according to Aitken, is oxidative stress. This occurs when ‘free radicals’ are present in excess (an imbalance between harmful free radicals and protective antioxidants), leading to premature cell death, especially in the testes and sperm.
What Are Free Radicals? Free radicals are unstable molecules formed when atoms gain or lose an electron. While they play a role in normal bodily functions, high levels can damage cells, including DNA, proteins, and membranes, potentially leading to cancer and other health issues.
“Any factor (genetic, immunological, metabolic, environmental or lifestyle) that enhances overall levels of oxidative stress could reasonably be expected to drive changes in the semen profile and subsequent patterns of mortality,” Aitken said.
Numerous factors contribute to oxidative stress, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged sun exposure, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and air pollution, according to the National Cancer Institute.
However, the body has natural defences against free radicals in the form of antioxidants.
What Are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules that help protect the body by neutralising harmful free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to ageing and diseases. They are found naturally in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, as well as in certain vitamins like C and E. Dubbed ‘free radical scavengers’, antioxidants can help prevent and repair cell damage, experts say.
How to Reduce Oxidative Stress
Harvard University’s ‘Nutrition Source’ highlights that while antioxidant supplements have not consistently demonstrated health benefits, consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains provides natural antioxidants that can help protect against chronic diseases. In essence, Harvard’s research suggests that obtaining antioxidants through whole foods is more beneficial for health than relying on supplements.
What Foods Help Combat Oxidative Stress?
- Foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, red and green peppers, and broccoli
- Foods that contain vitamin E, such as nuts, sunflower seeds, spinach, and broccoli
- Foods high in selenium, such as salmon, tuna, brown rice, eggs, and whole wheat bread
- Foods with high beta carotene — a precursor to vitamin A — found in carrots, apricots, kale, mangoes, and sweet potatoes
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Forewarned Is Forearmed
While further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sperm quality and lifespan, experts agree that reproductive health can offer key insights into overall wellbeing. Monitoring semen quality may serve as an early warning sign for underlying health concerns, reinforcing the need for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle choices.
The writer is a senior independent journalist.
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