Sunscreen blocks sperm

19 June 2015 - 02:04 By ©The Daily Telegraph

Sunscreen and cosmetics could be killing men's sperm, according to researchers who found that only one in four males has good fertility levels. Experts in reproduction said chemicals and the trappings of modern life appeared to be damaging men's chances of having a family.Research found that just 25% of young men were producing good quality sperm, and the average volume had declined by a quarter since the 1940s. The findings were presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology's annual meeting in Lisbon.Dr Niels Jorgensen, a consultant at Rigshospitalet, in Copenhagen, said thousands of chemicals found in bathrooms and kitchens were likely to be to blame for the changes."Modern life is having an impact because we are exposed to so many chemicals and we don't know what they do," he said. Chemicals found in sun cream, cosmetics, frying pans, cars, foods and even in items of clothing could all increase risks to sperm, he suggested.His study of almost 5000 Danish men, with an average age of 19, found that 15% had very poor quality sperm, and just 25% had good quality semen. ..

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