Sperm count is of considerable public health importance for several reasons. Like  sperm count is closely linked to male fecundity, reduced sperm count predicts increased all-cause mortality and morbidity and cryptorchidism testicular cancer etc. Sperm levels among Western men have plunged to a record low, new research reveals. It has fallen by more than 50% in 40 years – and is showing no signs of slowing down.

The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction Update by an international team of researchers, drew on 185 studies conducted between 1973 and 2011, involving almost 43,000 men. The team split the data based on whether the men were from western countries – including Australia and New Zealand as well as countries in North America and Europe – or from elsewhere.

Decline is seen in Western countries strongly suggests that chemicals in commerce are playing a causal role in this trend.