Global sperm count has been sinking for years

There was a time when the movie ‘children of men‘ It seemed like a fairly distant dystopia, but today science forces us to look at it with different eyes due to the great drop in birth rate that we are seeing. Although in principle it could be attributed to social issues such as difficult access to housing or one could even look at women as responsible for this. But it is becoming increasingly clear that human sperm quality is declining. The quality is going down. In this way, it is not that we have fewer children just because we decide to have them later (which too), but that biologically our ability to father them is plummeting. The scientific evidence tells us shows in this case that between 1973 and 2018 total sperm count has fallen by 62.3%. And logically, if men have fewer sperm in general, this leads to a reduced chance of conceiving. Although it does not stop at this data. Studies that have followed men for several years also show that the average sperm concentration has gone from 101 million per ml in the 1970s to just 49 million per ml of ejaculate today. In a generalized way. This is not a phenomenon that is only occurring in Europe or North America, but has also been confirmed by recent studies in Latin America, Asia and Africa that are suffering the same decline. Although the most alarming thing is not the accumulated decline that we are experiencing, but the speed. Specifically, we see that since 2000 the rate of decline has accelerated, exceeding 2.6% annually without any signs of stabilization over time. It’s not just the culture. It is easy to blame the social changes we have experienced to justify the drop in birth rates, such as the delay in couple formation or the economic stress we are experiencing. And it is true that everything influences the birth rate, but it does not explain why semen quality is increasingly worse in our environment. To put it in context, a 30-year-old man today has, on average, half the sperm concentration than the one his grandfather had at the same age. Because. To understand what is happening, there are different scientific reviews that point to lifestyle like an enemy. The obesitysmoking, sedentary lifestyle or diets that have a significant presence of ultra-processed foods They destroy sperm quality. A study published in PMC in 2024 also directly links obesity to oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance to the destruction of sperm quality. But not everything focuses on what we eat, but on what we breathe and touch in our environment. The exposure to microplasticspesticides and endocrine disruptors It is altering male hormonal production that leads to this serious problem. New biological factors. The investigations carried out in 2025 point out two new fronts here to attack in this case. The first is paternal age, since after 35 years of age not only does sperm movement decrease but sperm DNA fragmentation increases, making it of poorer quality. Besides, imbalance in bacteria of semen is behind many cases of infertility that we previously considered “of unknown cause.” If it is true that knowing that the pathogen called Ureaplasma is one of those responsiblecan give rise to personalized treatments. Imminent collapse? The short answer is that we are not facing an apocalyptic scenario where humanity becomes sterile overnight, but the trend is worrying. In the event that sperm concentration continues with this downward trend, a large part of the male population could fall below the threshold of natural fertility, making assisted reproduction cease to be an option and become a structural necessity to perpetuate the species. However, there is a species for the nuance, since a 2025 study in the US suggests that the decline may not be as pronounced in men whose fertility is already confirmed, indicating that the problem could be concentrated in specific subpopulations or closely linked to those environmental factors that we can control. What can we do? The good news is that, unlike other genetic problems, many of these factors are modifiable. The science in this case suggests that adopting the Mediterranean diet, exercising and controlling obesity is a good way to mitigate this decline. Images | freestocks Mohamed Hassan In Xataka | There are couples who couldn’t have children. Now AI has managed to give them hope

We have carried the burden of reproductive delay on women. But men also have their part (and the proof is in the sperm)

Let’s talk about semen because it’s important. We already knew: the quality of sperm, for example, is directly related with the life expectancy of men. However, in recent days the situation has taken an interesting turn. A few days ago, a group of researchers from the Sanger Institute and King’s College London advertisement that “aging” has more consequences than it seems. It is not only that, with age, sperm accumulate mutations; is that the percentage of sperm with mutations does not stop growing. And that changes many of the things we thought we knew. What exactly have they done? The team sequenced semen samples from individuals between 24-75 years old and They discovered that the process accumulation of mutations is not just a matter of wear and tear. There is, interestingly, a combination of chance and positive selection. That is, he has found evidence that there are “winning” variants in the testicles. The study concludes that it “concludes a 2–3× risk of known causal mutations with age and estimates 3–5% of sperm with a pathogenic mutation in middle-aged and older men.” The numbers are low, but the paradigm changes. The paradigm? It is not just that the older you are, the more mutations there are, but that these mutations compete with each other and thrive within the testicle (intratesticular positive selection). This means that the risk window widens beyond the simple annual arithmetic sum. For years, we have carried the burden of delayed parenthood on women. In a simplistic (and now we know hasty) way, the public debate has loaded thethe responsibility of reproductive planning about them. But also the health-scientist: the risk profiles were defined by the gestational age of the mother. And yet, men also have their part. What is hidden in the sperm. Although, as I cannot help but repeat, the risk is low, we cannot ignore that the greater presence of variants linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and developmental syndromes changes the general picture. The reality is that, despite everything we know, we know very little. And that is a problem because, whether we want it or notthe trends are very solid: the age of having children it’s going to be delayed all over the world. Image | Quinn Dombrowski In Xataka | Having many children sounds great as a way to preserve the species. Until you start passing genetic mutations

Salmon sperm is the new fashion ingredient in aesthetics. And no, it’s not as crazy as it sounds

In the era of the cult of perfect skin, the aesthetic industry seems to know limits. Masks with bee venom, sera with snail drool, injections that They promise to reprogram Aging … Any compound that promises youth, elasticity or luminosity is a good formula for even Celebrities Be behind it, even if we are talking about salmon sperm. A new anti -aging elixir? Although talking about salmon sperm captures attention (and lifts eyebrows), the truth is that it does not imply directly applying reproductive cells on the skin. In statements collected by the Spanish, Dr. Araceli González, specialist in aesthetic medicine, has clarified: “This product is popularly because it allows you to obtain polynucleotides, components with great qualities to restore the skin without leaving any residue.” In this way, it helps support reparation, regeneration and collagen production on the skin. For celebrities it is not new. Personalities such as Jennifer Aniston had already undergone this type of treatments in previous years, as reported in an interview to the Wall Street Journal, where he even joked asking his estheticist: “Really? How do you get the salmon sperm?” However, what was previously a luxury curiosity, today has become a booming aesthetic trend that adds more and more followers, from dermatological clinics to Influencers In social networks. The Telva medium It has included it Among the seven major skin care trends by 2025. And the big question. How do you get? Well, the answer is more technical than biological. The PDRN is obtained by processing and purifying the DNA of the gonads (sexual organs) of the salmon. Sperm is not used as such, but the genetic material is broken in polynucleotide fragments, which are then integrated into sera, masks, injections or combinations with techniques such as microaguja or laser, according to He explained Dermatologist Mansha Sethi Thacker A Vry Well Health. A curiosity is that in Asia they usually inject it directly, while in the US they are applied topically after treatments such as exosomes or laser. Does it really work? Treatment defenders ensure that it offers visible and progressive benefits. According to Dr. Adam Friedman, a dermatologist at the George Washington University, for the same medium, it has detailed that it stimulates collagen production, improves hydration, accelerates cell regeneration and healing, and decreases inflammation and better pigmentation. For its part, the aestheticist Adeela Crown, Interviewed by the Financial Timeshe has summarized it thus: “It is a slower process, but bioestimulants such as polynucleotides make skin cells work to produce and maintain the basic components of healthy skin.” Its use in medicine. Although the boom is recent, seeing the benefits gives notes that it was already used before. As He explained Dr. Araceli González to El Español, The use of polynucleotides were already used in medical contexts to treat burns, serious injuries or even ulcers. In addition, preliminary investigations, mentioned by Varywell Health, They have indicated that they can have anti -inflammatory effects and have begun to use to stop hair loss and strengthen the scalp, with repeated treatments every few weeks. Are there side effects? Like any aesthetic treatment, it is not exempt from precautions. Dr. Richard Westreich, plastic surgeon in New York, has pointed out in The Guardian that side effects are generally mild: bruises, swelling or redness may appear, especially if the product is injected. In addition, as in every medical process there may be a risk of allergic reaction. For its part, dermatologist Emma Craythorne has warned in FT that “no current study is of high quality”, and although the results are promising, more robust clinical research is still required. A new aesthetic revolution? For many specialists, polynucleotides treatment represents a paradigm shift. Not only does it seek to correct visible signs of aging, but preserve and stimulate the natural functions of the skin. “It is a bioestimulator that does not change the volume or the shape of the face,” He explained Araceli González. Therefore, it is suitable for both young skins that seek to prevent mature skin with marked sagging signs or elastosis. In addition, it is beginning to be used in areas where other treatments do not work well, such as the lower eyelid, where botulinum toxin has no good results. Dr. Elizabeth Hawkes, an Oculoplasty specialist in London, has affirmed at ft that “polynucleotides have transformed their practice” for the security they offer in sensitive areas such as eye contour. What are the forecasts? What began as an eccentricity worthy of headlines, salmon sperm on the face, has evolved towards a trend backed by clinics, dermatologists and public figures. But between the promises of cell regeneration and the media brightness, is the question: are we facing a real scientific revolution or before another cosmetic seasonal phenomenon, camouflaged under a disruptive name? For now, science advances slower than social networks, but if something teaches us the history of beauty is that, in the search for eternal youth, no ingredient – unlikely that seems – is out of play. Image | Angela George and Unspash Xataka | People are fed up with Skincare’s thousand steps so the last Beauty trend is just one thing: exosomes

sperm races with live repetitions and statistics

In the world of billionaires, Extravagant ideas They seem to have no limits. The latest in exclusive entertainment is not a speed competitionof resistance or skill. Actually, contestants can be resting Quietly, while a part of them rises with victory: sperm races have arrived for millionaires. A career for your life. The initiative starts from the startup Sperm Racingwhich has already raised a million and a half dollars To organize this unprecedented event. The chosen stage is the historic Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, where on April 25 at 6:00 p.m. (April 26 at 3:00 a Spanish peninsular time) It will be held The first sperm race in history. According to the organization, it is planned that more than 4,000 attendees will witness live how two sperm samples They compete on a racing track specially designed to simulate the female reproductive system. The “contestants”. The event It consists of facing the signs of sperm of Tristan and Asher, two university vigorous of UCLA and USC, entities with a special rivalry. As detailed in the Competition Manifestotheir sperm will travel a track 20 centimeters long, in which a series of “chemical signals, fluid dynamics and synchronized signals” have been arranged, all thought to reproduce the real conditions of the human body. The movement of the tiny contenders, who measure only 0.05 millimeters, will be captured by “high -resolution cameras trace each microscopic movement. Everything is broadcast live, with statistics, classification tables and instant repetitions.” The show is served. In order for the public to follow the development of the race, the image will be expanded 40 times, allowing to trace the progress of each sample. Taking into account that sperm usually swim for about five millimeters per minute, each race will last at least 40 minutes to complete the 20 centimeters to the goal. The sperm that before crossing the goal will be the winner, giving his donor the glory in this peculiar tournament. The background is not nonsense. Eric Zhu, the young co -founder of Sperm Racing, argues that this race is not only a viral joke, but a serious attempt to raise awareness about the male reproductive health. “The sperm races are not limited to competing with the best specimens, although, being honest, it is hilarious,” Zhu said in his manifesto. “It’s about making male fertility something that people really want to talk, continue and improve.” Beyond the show and curiosity of the new competitive discipline, the truth is that the science has already certifiedthat the quality of the semen of western men It has descended. In the 70s, the average count was at 99 million gametes, compared to the 47 million that on average were counted in the early 21st century. Athlete care. A study From the Bernabeu Institute, based on 8,000 samples analyzed during the last five years, it reveals that the sperm count per milliliter has fallen 16.75%, and its motility has decreased by 12%. As they joked in The Cuttaking into account Elon Musk’s effort for having childrenit would not be strange if you were fond of this sport to Encourage birth throughout the planet. In Xataka | Reproductive Wars: When will we stop needing women to have children? Image | Spermracing

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