male infertility

Male infertility increases over past 40 years
One-half of 1% of men were functionally sterile in 1938. Today it has reached between 8-12% (an over 15-fold increase). "Functionally sterile" is defined as sperm counts below 20 million per milliliter of semen.

Note: A recent report attaining media attention states sperm count has not declined over the past 4 decades. However, note how the study used the dates of 1951 for the 1st comparison study. 1951 was well after the introduction of large amounts of chemicals into society and was a year in which vehicle emissions contained both high levels of lead and large amounts of toxic hydrocarbon/solvent combustion products. Also, by 1951, pesticide use was making its way into consumer use.


Dr. Cecil Jacobson
Reproductive Genetics Center

Vienna, Virginia