Men's Sperms Could Be Damaged By 'Paternal Exposures'

Paternal exposures to drugs, electromagnetic radiations, environmental chemicals, heavy metals and sexually transmitted diseases before or during his partner's pregnancy may damage sperm leading to infertility, according to a new study.

"A paternal exposure is anything the father of the baby is exposed to before or during his partner's pregnancy," explained Christina Chambers, professor of pediatrics and director of the California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS) Pregnancy Health Information Line.

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"Some exposures may affect a man's ability to father a child by changing the size or shape of sperm, the number of sperm produced or how the sperm work," Chambers said.

Studies have found associations with the following risk factors and either altered sperm with or without infertility, lower fertility and infertility:

Occupational: Chemicals such as heavy metals, solvents, fumes (welding fumes).

Gene Variation Blamed For Infertility In Women
Johns Hopkins researchers have found that a variation in a gene involved in regulating cholesterol in the bloodstream may be responsible for infertility in women.

Physical agents: Heat, vibration, extremes in temperature and pressure.

Radiation: Radiation and electromagnetic radiation (cell phones).

Study Finds 'Mothers Curse' Behind Male Infertility
A new study in fruit flies has found that genetic mutations in mitochondria, inherited from the mother, are an important cause of male infertility.

Lifestyle: Cigarette smoking.

Infection: Chlamydia trachomatis, a common sexually transmitted disease.

Obese Mothers may Pass on Infertility to Offspring
A new research has warned that if an expectant mother is suffering from obesity, then the chances of infertility in the next generation increased.

Pollutants: PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls). PCBs were banned by the EPA in 1979, but exist in the environment including landfills, lakes and streams.

Source-ANI