Study Links Sperm Quality to Life Expectancy: Men with Stronger Sperm Live Longer
New research suggests that sperm quality can be a predictor of men's health and longevity, with those having better sperm quality living up to three years longer.
Watan-A study concluded that there is a relationship between men’s age and sperm quality, finding that men with stronger sperm are expected to live longer.
The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, analyzed data from 78,284 men in Denmark between 1965 and 2015.
The researchers say that the results suggest sperm tests could be used to predict and prevent future health problems.
Sperm Quality Linked to Longevity: Men with Better Sperm Live Longer, Study Finds
Dr. Lark Briskorn, the lead researcher at the Department of Growth and Reproduction at Copenhagen University Hospital, explained that previous research indicated male infertility and decreased sperm quality could be linked to mortality, and this study aimed to confirm this hypothesis.
He added, “We calculated the average life expectancy of men according to their sperm quality and found that men with the best sperm quality were expected to live between two and three years longer on average than those with the lowest sperm quality.”
He continued, “The lower the sperm quality, the lower the average life expectancy, and this correlation was not explained by any diseases in the ten years prior to evaluating sperm quality or the men’s educational level.”
Fertility Tests Could Reveal Health Risks, Experts Say, But More Research is Needed
Dr. Niels Jørgensen, senior male fertility specialist at Copenhagen University Hospital, cautioned that there is still much to be done to understand this connection.
He said, “Fertility tests, which are usually performed when men are relatively young, could serve as an opportunity to detect risks for other health issues and mitigate them in the long term.”
The study did not explore whether poor sperm quality is linked to early mortality from specific causes, such as cancer or heart disease, but Jørgensen stated this will be investigated in the future.
