Surprising Sperm Abnormalities Linked to Chemically Grown Foods

This article certainly provides a good reason to switch away from the chemically grown commercial foods and stock up on those grown organically. (Organically grown food are grown using only natural fertilizers such as rock powders and marine by-products while commercially grown foods use chemical based fertilizers and pesticides).

The following study was conducted in the late 1950's when farming was making its switch away from naturally growing methods to the now common chemical fertilizer/pesticide growing methods, investigators were concerned of the effects such foods might have on human health. To study the effect chemically grown foods would have on general health and the reproductive system, researchers at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine in London conducted an experiment in which 3 groups of 17 pairs of mice were fed wheat that was grown using either one of the following three different methods:

Group 1 - Chemical Fertilizers Alone (called "stockless")
Group 2 - Chemical Fertilizers & Manure (called "mixed")
Group 3 - No Chemical Fertilizers or Pesticides - only "composted fertilizers" (called "organic")

After 14 weeks on their respective diets, the researchers found there was a very large difference in the microscopically observed quality of the testes of the male rats (see pictures). Of rats eating the chemically grown "stockless" wheat -only 11% had normal structure. Of rats eating wheat grown using "mixed" or "organic" farming methods - 48% had normal structure. Although sperm counts were not taken, the photograph at right shows a drastic reduction in total sperm in the epididymis (the part of the testicle that is a reservoir for mature sperm). The researchers stated that wheat in itself is not the best food for mice, but the results do show that:

"reproductive performance was a sensitive indicator of differences between diets which had hardly shown significant differences in comparative growth tests."

Organically Grown Sperm
The seminiferous tubules above are well shaped and full of sperm in mice who consumed organically grown wheat during the experiment.


Chemically Grown Sperm
The seminiferous tubules above are smaller and lacking sperm in mice who consumed wheat grown on soil using only chemical fertilizers.

Certainly with the increases in infertility and abnormal sperm being observed in today's male population, this older research study highlights the significant benefits of which may be attained by consuming organic food for couples wishing to have children. Also, because of the potential to affect such a large population, this study demonstrates the importance of conducting further research into health effects, not only regarding fertility, but also in general genetic quality to subsequent offspring born to parents consuming these types of foods.

Dr. Patricia P. Scott, J.P. Greaves and M.G. Scott Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London and Royal Veterinary College, London Journal of Reproductive Fertility, 1:130-138, 1960

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