A new study suggests that men with higher quality sperm may have longer lifespans. Experts shared with Euronews Health that semen quality could reflect overall health.
The research, which followed nearly 80,000 Danish men for up to 50 years, examined the link between sperm quality and life expectancy. The men, who had their semen analyzed due to infertility issues, were studied for several factors: semen volume, sperm concentration, and the proportion of motile sperm — sperm that moves efficiently and has a normal shape.
The study found that men with a higher number of motile sperm had a life expectancy 2 to 3 years longer than those with the lowest number. Men with over 120 million motile sperm lived an average of 2.7 years longer than those with fewer than 5 million motile sperm.
Dr. Lærke Priskorn, lead researcher at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark, stated, “The lower the semen quality, the shorter the life expectancy.” She emphasized that this link was not explained by diseases or education levels before the semen quality was assessed.
Researchers believe that semen quality may serve as a marker for overall health. Previous studies mentioned by the team showed that men with lower sperm concentrations were often hospitalized earlier in life, pointing to a connection between poor semen quality and both earlier death and fewer healthy years.
Dr. Germaine Buck Louis, a health expert from George Mason University, said, “This research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting semen quality is not only an important health indicator but likely predicts future health.” She further suggested that semen quality could be considered the “sixth vital sign,” alongside traditional vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure.
While the study did not identify specific causes for the lifespan difference, Dr. Louis speculated that environmental factors, such as oxidative stress, might play a role. These factors could impact both reproductive health and overall health.
Dolores Lamb, co-director of the research learning center at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, added that more research is needed to understand the exact causes behind infertility and its links to increased health risks. She noted that ongoing research aims to uncover the common factors affecting both infertility and health.
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