Summary of Strong Link Found Between Physical Labor and Male Reproductive Health:
Men who regularly lift heavy objects at work may have higher sperm concentrations and levels of the male sex hormone testosterone, according to a study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The research focused on a subset of Environment and Reproductive Health cohort participants, investigating the effects of environmental factors and lifestyle choices on fertility. The study found that men who reported the highest levels of physical activity at work also had raised levels of the female hormone estrogen. The researchers believe their findings could help uncover actionable steps people can take to improve fertility.
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Can Heavy Lifting at Work Improve Male Fertility? New Study Suggests It Does
A new study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, suggests that occupational factors, such as physical demands and work schedules, are associated with higher sperm concentrations and serum testosterone among men. The study highlights how physical activity during work may significantly improve men’s reproductive potential.
Infertility: A Growing Problem
Infertility is a growing problem, and many complex factors can cause it. However, male characteristics, such as sperm count, semen quality, and sexual function, account for about 40% of infertility cases.
Male Infertility and Common Chronic Diseases
Moreover, there is increasing evidence that male infertility is associated with common chronic diseases such as cardiovascular dand autoimmune diseases highlighting the broader importance of male reproductive health.
Environment and Reproductive Health Study
The Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) study aims to evaluate the effect of environmental and lifestyle factors on fertility. EARTH has collected samples and survey data from over 1,500 men and women. The current study focused on a subset of these participants, including 377 male partners in couples seeking treatment at a fertility center.
Physical Activity during Work and Sperm Count
The researchers found that men who reported often lifting or moving heavy objects at work had 46% higher sperm concentration and 44% higher total sperm count than those with fewer physical jobs. Men who reported more physical activity at work also had higher levels of the male sex hormone testosterone and, counterintuitively, the female hormone estrogen.
“We already know that exercise is associated with multiple health benefits in humans, including those observed on reproductive health, but few studies have looked at how occupational factors can contribute to these benefits,” said first author Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón, a reproductive epidemiologist at Brigham’s Channing Division of Network Medicine and co-investigator of the EARTH study. “These new findings suggest that physical activity during work may also be associated with significant improvement in men’s reproductive potential.”
Future Studies Needed
While the current study found a relationship between physical activity and fertility in men seeking fertility treatment, it will take further research to confirm if these findings hold tor men from the general population. The researchers also hope future studies will reveal the underlying biological mechanisms
“Reproductive health is important in its own right, but more and more evidence suggests that male infertility can give us insight into broader public health issues, including the most common chronic diseases,” said Mínguez-Alarcón. “Uncovering actionable steps people can take to improve their fertility sbenefitsall of us, not just couples trying to conceive.”
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