About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Long-distance Biking Linked to Infertility in Males

by VR Sreeraman on June 30, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Font : A-A+

 Long-distance Biking Linked to Infertility in Males

Sportsmen who carry out high levels of cycle training could be damaging their chance of fatherhood, researchers reported on Monday.

A team led by Diana Vaamonde of the University of Cordoba Medical School in Spain looked at triathletes, athletes who run, swim and cycle, to further a probe into a long-suspected link between male infertility and long-distance biking.

Advertisement

They looked at semen provided by 15 healthy Spanish triathletes whose training routines were known in detail.

The more time the triathletes spent in the saddle, the worse their sperm morphology, or appearance, looked.

"While all triathletes had less than 10 percent of normal-looking sperm, the men with less than four percent, at which percentage they would generally be considered to have significant fertility problems, were systematically covering over 300 kilometres (180 miles) per week on their bicycles," Vaamonde said.
Advertisement

No such link was seen for running and swimming.

The study was released in Amsterdam at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

The association between endurance cycling and male infertility first surfaced half a dozen years ago, in research among mountain bikers.

The suspected causes include irritation and compression of the testes against the saddle and localised heat caused by tight clothing. Sperm production is affected by excess heat.

But Vaamonde said there could be additional reasons, including rogue oxygen molecules that are boosted by local stress and which damage cell structures.

"Protective measures for these sportsmen need to be developed," said Vaamonde said in a press release.

"Depending on the mechanism leading to the creation of abnormal sperm, these could include giving antioxidants and modifying training regimes to allow for recovery. Or we could take preventive measures by freezing athletes' sperm before they start high-intensity training."

Source: AFP
SRM
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Menīs Health News

Redefining Masculinity With the Rise of Male Self-Care
Men's skincare routines have advanced beyond herbal soap and post-shave rituals, with a growing emphasis on self-care and grooming.
Psychological Stress may Affect Men's Sexual Health: Here's How
Does stress affect a man's sexual performance? Yes, psychological stress may affect male sexual potency and penile erection.
Do RNA Provide a New Target for Alzheimer's Disease?
Messenger RNA m6A modifications are prospective targets for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
 Exercise is as Beneficial as Drugs in Treating Premature Ejaculation
Exercise could help combat premature ejaculation, a sexual dysfunction condition that is estimated to affect anywhere between 30% to 83% of men.
Treat Enlarged Prostate as Soon as Possible Before It Gets Worse
How to treat enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) before it gets worse? A minimally invasive procedure called iTind can relieve symptoms of enlarged prostate rapidly.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Long-distance Biking Linked to Infertility in Males Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests