Sperm production or function can be affected by overexposure to certain environmental elements, including: Industrial chemicals. Extended exposure to benzenes, toluene, xylene, herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, painting materials and lead might contribute to low sperm counts.
Use of cocaine or marijuana may temporarily reduce the number and quality of your sperm as well. Alcohol use. Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels, cause erectile dysfunction and decrease sperm production. Liver disease caused by excessive drinking also may lead to fertility problems.
For healthy semen samples collected between 5:00am and 7:30am were found to exhibit a statistically higher sperm concentration, total sperm count and a higher percentage of normally shaped sperm, compared to samples produced later in the day.
There is no specific frequency with which a man should ejaculate. There is no solid evidence that failure to ejaculate causes health problems. However, ejaculating frequently can reduce the man's risk of getting prostate cancer. Ejacu-lation can be through having sex or masturbating a few times a day.
Some research shows that caffeine is associated with a decrease in sperm quality, especially when consumed in excess; other studies demonstrate that moderate caffeine consumption might actually be good for sperm. Caffeine intake may negatively impact a couple's chances of conception.
A man might have watery semen if he doesn't get enough zinc in his diet. Zinc is an important nutrient for sperm production. Men who ejaculate several times a day might also develop watery semen, since the body needs time to “catch up” on its semen production.
Fertility is most likely if the semen discharged in a single ejaculation (ejaculate) contains at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. Too little sperm in an ejaculation might make it more difficult to get pregnant because there are fewer candidates available to fertilize the egg.
Effects of alcohol on male reproduction
Alcohol consumption in men can also cause difficulties with fertility. Some studies on long-term, heavy alcohol use have reported reduced gonadotropin release, testicular atrophy, and decreased testosterone and sperm production [48].
Sperm in the first fraction of ejaculate are more numerous, move more and present better quality DNA than those lagging behind.
That being said, there are studies (linked below) that show that men are most fertile in the mornings and during winter months. One study suggests that the volume of sperm found in the testicles is higher in the morning, this is hypothesized for a number of reasons.
Morning may be the best time to have sex for conception, at least as far as sperm are concerned. Some studies have suggested that sperm count and quality are slightly higher early in the morning, which may mean better odds of conception if they're deposited right after a good night's sleep.
Causes of male infertility
These may include: Abnormal sperm production or function due to undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps or HIV. Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) also can affect the quality of sperm.
But why do drinkers enjoy a better sperm count? (Related: What's better for you — beer or wine?) The researchers found that the antioxidants from grapes in wine and Xanthohumol — a compound found in beer hops — could actually safeguard cells from damager and improve sperm quality.
Have sex regularly. The highest pregnancy rates occur in couples who have sex every day or every other day. Have sex near the time of ovulation. If having sex every day isn't possible — or enjoyable — have sex every 2 to 3 days a week starting soon after the end of your period.
You might not be ovulating. Your male partner may be experiencing infertility. You may be experiencing age-related infertility. You may have blocked fallopian tubes.
If your menstrual cycle lasts 28 days and your period arrives like clockwork, it's likely that you'll ovulate on day 14. That's halfway through your cycle. Your fertile window begins on day 10. You're more likely to get pregnant if you have sex at least every other day between days 10 and 14 of a 28-day cycle.
You may have heard that pomegranate juice can boost fertility by stimulating the uterus and improving sperm quality. Or that pineapple core can help with retrieval and transfer in an IVF cycle.