Pregnancies ending in miscarriage are being found to be fathered by men with higher numbers of abnormal sperm (i.e. misshapen sperm heads, double tails, etc.). Abnormal sperm are also being found to occur more often in males exposed to chemicals during the two month sperm development period before conception (3). Results of recent research indicate that sperm quality influences not only the likelihood of miscarriage, but also the rates of fertilization of eggs and subsequent embryo development (rates of embryo cleavage, blastocyst formation and implantation). A Sperm DNA test is preformed to measure damage that may be present in sperm. The integrity of the sperm DNA is used as a marker to predict pregnancy outcomes. Male partners of couples with a history of unexplained infertility, poor embryo quality after in vitro fertilization (IVF), implantation failure after IVF, recurrent chemical or occult pregnancy losses, or recurrent early spontaneous abortions should consider that there may be underlying problems with sperm quality (1, 2).

The largest study done to date involved 61 papers concerning sperm concentration/count in a total of 14,957 males without a history of infertility. A staggering decline in average sperm counts from 113 million per ml in 1940 to 66 million per ml in 1990, and in seminal volume from 3.40 ml to 2.75 ml was noted (6).

Studies over the past two decades have clearly shown that commonly used substances (pesticides, industrial chemicals, metals) have been shown to have estrogen-mimicking and other endocrine-disrupting effects (5). The following, just to name a few, are examples you may find around your home;

• Dioxins (bleaching of paper, waste incineration, burning of residential waste, feminine products): cause decreased sperm production, decreased testis weight, decreased testosterone levels, delayed puberty, and endometriosis.
• Phthalates (plastic softener, polyvinyl chloride (PVC, vinyl) products, children's toys, some teethers, food packaging, cling wraps, medical devices, backpacks, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, wallpaper, decorating and building products, blood bags, adhesives, mosquito insect repellents, plastic plumbing pipes, nail polish, skin moisturizers, perfumes, solvents, cosmetics, personal care products, wood finishes and insecticides): cause damaged, shrunken, undescended, or atrophied testicles; reduced sperm production; damaged sperm, destruction of Sertoli cells (which produce sperm) and lowered testosterone levels in offspring.
• Lead causes decreased fertility, increased rates of miscarriage, pre-term delivery, low birth weight, low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, abnormal sperm shape and size.
• Mercury in predatory fish species, such as shark and tuna, and bottom-feeders, such as crab causes adverse effects on the developing fetus, sperm, and male reproductive organs. It also increases the number of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths.
  
  It is also important to note that with the increases in infertility and abnormal sperm being observed in today's male population, studies highlight the significant benefits of which may be attained by simply consuming organic food for couples wishing to have children (4).
  
  Detoxification through diet, supplementation, herbal therapy, and acupuncture has shown clinically profound improvements in semen quality as well as over health, wellness, and satisfaction with life and relationships.
  
  
  Spence Pentland
  
  
  
  References
  1. The effect of chromatin condensation (aniline blue staining) and morphology (strict criteria) of human sperm on fertilization, cleavage and pregnancy rates in an intracytoplasmic sperm injection programme. Hammadeh ME, Al-Hassani S, Stieber M et al. Hum Reprod 1996;11:2468-2471.
  2. Relationship between assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcome and status of chromatin integrity as measured by the sperm chromatin structure assay. Larson K, De Jonge C, Barnes A, Jost L, Evenson D Hum Reprod 2000;15:1717-1722.
  3. Miscarriages Linked to Defective Sperm and Lower Sperm Counts, Drs. Mirjam Furuhjelm, Birgit Jonson, and C. Lagergren, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sabbatsberg Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, International Journal of Fertility
  4. Surprising Sperm Abnormalities Linked to Chemically Grown 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
  5. Environmental toxicants cause sperm DNA fragmentation as detected by the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA((R))). Evenson DP, Wixon R, HCLD, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; SCSA Diagnostics, 807 32nd Avenue, Brookings, SD 57007, USA.
  6. Decline in semen quality from 1930 to 1991, Carlsen E, Giwercman AJ, Keiding N, Skakkebaek NE. Rigshospitalet, afdeling for vaekst og reproduktion GR 5064, Kobenhavn.
  
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