Prolonged Stress has a Detrimental Effect on Sperm Quality and Quantity, Study Finds

Varanasi. Lifestyle changes, including stress, diet, physical activity, caffeine consumption, and high scrotal temperatures, may have a significant impact on fertility and sexual function, according to several scientific studies. In the latest scientific study, researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have discovered that long-term stress can decrease both the quantity and quality of sperm. The study, conducted at BHU's Zoology Department, found that mental stress over a one-month period led to a 50% reduction in sperm quantity and quality.

This effect was seen even with just one to three hours of tension per day, and was attributed to a slower production of testosterone, the hormone responsible for sexual function. The study suggests that daily stress can affect sexual power or fertility, and may have implications for the health of future generations.

The study conducted by BHU's Zoology Department's Associate Professor Dr. Raghav Mishra and Research Scholar Anupam Yadav looked at the effects of stress on sperm quantity and quality in rats. The study involved dividing the rats into three groups: a control group, a group exposed to prolonged stress, and a group exposed to short-term stress.

The rats were kept in small flask-like bottles for 60-70 hours in an environment that was contrary to their natural jumpy nature. After this period, the researchers examined the rats' sperm quality and found that the sperm count in the stressed rats had decreased to 8-10 million per liter, compared to the normal range of 15-20 million per liter.

The study also discovered structural or morphological anomalies in the sperm. The sperm stored and matured in the male reproductive accessory structure known as the epididymis, specifically, were negatively impacted by stress exposure.

The head, neck, and tail are the three parts that make up a typical sperm morphology. The study found abnormalities in the sperm's fundamental structure, with spermatozoa with tail abnormalities occurring more frequently than those with head abnormalities.

Prof Mishra's research showed that stress can alter the internal structure of the testis and negatively impact its ability to produce sperm on a daily basis. This is because stress disrupts the process of forming sperm from germ cells and also affects testosterone production and increases oxidative stress in the testis.

According to researchers, the results of the study on rats are directly applicable to humans. In humans, a normal sperm count should be more than 39 million. The study on rats involved exposing them to a stressful environment that was contrary to their natural habits for a period of 30 days, a type of stress known as sub-chronic exposure or psychological stress.

The researchers then examined the rats' sperm count during breeding and found a significant decrease. The lead researcher, Dr. Mishra, stated that creating an environment that is opposite to the fickle habits of rats is a major source of stress for them.

The study found that stress had caused hormonal changes in the rats and led to a decrease in sperm quality by 40%. These changes occurred gradually over the course of the study. The researchers suggest that the negative effects of stress on sperm quantity and quality could potentially affect fertility and the health of future generations.