Molecular pathways resulting in impaired spermatogenesis and sperm operate. Credit score: Nature Critiques Urology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41585-024-00969-6
Medical situations that deprive the testes of oxygen, reminiscent of sleep apnea, could also be contributing to the decline in male fertility noticed over the previous 50 years, a brand new research suggests.
Revealed in Nature Critiques Urology, the literary overview explores how elements like sleep apnea, varicocele, and high-altitude publicity impression sperm high quality and total reproductive well being in males.
The overview was led by reproductive biologist, Dr. Tessa Lord, who’s a Senior Lecturer on the College of Newcastle and a member of HMRI’s Infertility and Copy Analysis Program.
“Medical conditions such as varicocele and sleep apnea reduce the level of oxygenated blood in the testis—a phenomenon known as testis hypoxia,” Dr. Lord stated.
“We know from existing research that testis hypoxia can negatively impact sperm count and quality by disrupting hormone production and gene expression.”
Findings spotlight extended fertility risk
The overview examined findings from a number of research to holistically seize the causes and results of testicular hypoxia in varied eventualities.
Dr. Lord stated when a scarcity of oxygen within the testes is attributable to continual medical situations—reminiscent of sleep apnea or varicocele—there’s a sustained risk to reproductive well being.
“Varicocele, or enlarged veins in the scrotum, is a common abnormality which is diagnosed as the cause of infertility in up to 45% of men who are struggling to conceive,” Dr. Lord stated.
“Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. It affects 13%–30% of the male population, and that number is increasing with obesity being a key risk factor.”
A number of research have proven a correlation between sleep apnea and infertility in males, however Dr. Lord stated we urgently want additional analysis to grasp the direct results on sperm manufacturing and high quality.
Dr. Lord defined that whereas high-altitude actions reminiscent of mountaineering may cause lack of oxygen within the testis, or hypoxia, the consequences on fertility are often solely non permanent.
“This can take a few months to resolve though, following their return to ‘sea-level,'” Dr. Lord stated.
Dr. Lord is looking for better public and scientific consciousness of the reproductive dangers related to sustained testicular hypoxia.
“The timely management of conditions like varicocele and sleep apnea could help mitigate associated fertility risks. There is promising evidence that subfertility caused by hypoxia can possibly be reversed if the underlying issue is addressed,” Dr. Lord stated.
In males, infertility is outlined as failure to attain a being pregnant after 12 months or extra of standard unprotected sexual activity, whereas sub-fertility represents a much less extreme impression that may nonetheless scale back the probability of conception.
Pressing have to uncover intergenerational results
The rise in prevalence of situations reminiscent of sleep apnea, mixed with potential intergenerational results, makes testicular hypoxia a important concern in understanding male fertility tendencies.
“We know male fertility has declined significantly over the past 50 years,” Dr. Lord stated. “Emerging evidence suggests that testis hypoxia in fathers could result in embryos with developmental issues, and those children could grow up to experience fertility issues themselves.”
Regardless of progress in understanding the connection between hypoxia and fertility, Dr. Lord stated important information gaps in science stay.
“We don’t yet have all the answers, particularly around the impact on sperm quality when there is a lack of oxygen in the testis. Likewise, more research is needed to understand the full extent of the generational impact.”
Dr. Lord urged additional analysis is required to totally grasp the broader implications of those findings and to develop efficient interventions.
“We need to improve fertility outcomes today and also help safeguard the reproductive health of generations to come,” Dr. Lord stated.
Extra data:
Tessa Lord, Pathophysiological results of hypoxia on testis operate and spermatogenesis, Nature Critiques Urology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41585-024-00969-6
Supplied by
Newcastle College
Quotation:
From high-altitude mountaineering to sleep apnea, research explores impacts on male fertility (2025, January 23)
retrieved 23 January 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/information/2025-01-high-altitude-hiking-apnea-explores.html
This doc is topic to copyright. Other than any truthful dealing for the aim of personal research or analysis, no
half could also be reproduced with out the written permission. The content material is supplied for data functions solely.
