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Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
Published on: April 21, 2022
Temporal trends in sperm count: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis
Hagai Levine1,2, Niels Jørgensen3, Anderson Martino-Andrade2,4
1Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University, the Hebrew University Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Health, Ein Kerem Campus, PO BOX 12272, Jerusalem 9110202, Israel.
Sperm counts have significantly declined globally since 1973, with a 50-60% drop in Western countries. This trend, particularly in men unselected by fertility, necessitates urgent research into its causes and public health implications.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Sperm count declines are controversial, with recent trends unknown.
- Sperm count is a critical indicator for male fertility, morbidity, and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-regress recent trends in sperm concentration (SC) and total sperm count (TSC).
- To analyze modifications in sperm count trends by fertility and geographic groups.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE for human SC studies (1981-2013).
- Extracted data from 185 studies (42,935 men, 1973-2011) for meta-regression analysis.
- Adjusted for covariates including fertility, geography, age, and abstinence time.
Main Results:
- Significant decline in SC between 1973-2011 (adjusted slope -0.64 million/ml/year).
- Trends modified by fertility and geographic groups; significant declines observed in Western populations (SC -1.4%/year, TSC -1.6%/year).
- Post-1995 data showed similar steep declines in Western men.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive meta-regression confirms a significant decline in sperm counts globally.
- The decline is driven by substantial reductions in Western men, highlighting public health concerns.
- Urgent research is needed to identify the causes of this ongoing trend.
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