Toxins linked to male infertility, child development problems

22 Feb 2008

Men who smoke, consume large amounts of alcohol and are exposed to pesticides may harm their chances of conceiving healthy children, new research suggests.

Scientists at Rutgers University have found that environmental toxins and chemicals present in alcohol and cigarettes can cause genetic changes to semen.

Researcher Dr Cynthia Daniels said: "If I were a young man I would not drink heavily and I would not be smoking two packs of cigarettes per day while trying to conceive a child.

"Studies have shown significant associations between male toxic exposures and increased rates of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and childhood health problems."

Dr Gladys Friedler, of the Boston University School of Medicine, added: "Both animal and epidemiological studies demonstrate that paternal exposure to a variety of potential toxins can adversely impact fetal development, produce a wide spectrum of deficits in offspring and be expressed in subsequent generations."

Findings of a related study revealed that men are likely to be more fertile during the winter months due to increased sperm production in colder temperatures.

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