Are we running out of sperm?
Howtown
Oct 29, 2026 12:00
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Chapters:
Are sperm counts declining? Are microplastics and pesticides affecting male fertility? Does a low sperm count mean you’ll struggle to have children? Howtown investigates the science behind male infertility and headlines warning of a global “sperm crisis” or “spermageddon.”
With Dr. Esh and researchers Hagai Levine, Shanna Swan, Allan Pacey, and Dolores Lamb, we examine sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and why semen analysis is surprisingly difficult. What do the influential sperm count meta-analyses actually reveal about reproductive health?
A study of nearly 3,000 Swiss men launches our investigation into pesticides, microplastics, plastic additives, flame retardants, and endocrine disruptors. We explore the Seveso dioxin disaster and a Netflix documentary’s experiment in reducing plastic exposure.
We also examine age, smoking, illness, varicoceles, and lifestyle—and what sperm quality can tell us about getting pregnant. Do long-term studies, infertility rates, and time to pregnancy support claims of a worldwide fertility crisis? What remains uncertain?
Science & Technology