Implications of lifestyle factors on male reproductive health

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a substantial decline in sperm quality in humans, with lifestyle factors playing a major role in this trend. There are several lifestyle factors which are contributing to male infertility. This review, however, discusses factors such as obesity, diet/nutrition, psychological stress, radiation exposure, cigarette smoking, and alcohol use with reference to male infertility. Sperm count, motility, morphology and sperm DNA may be adversely affected by lifestyle factors, which may also affect the endocrine regulation of reproductive function. The decline in male fertility has a significant impact on fertility rates, and the resulting implications for the human population make this a serious public health concern in the twenty-first century. Thus, lifestyle interventions through a specific framework of educational, environmental, nutritional/physical exercise, and psychological support coupled with the use of nutritional antioxidants supplements can help couples achieve better health and well-being and improve their fertility prospects or increase their chances of conception.