New research has shown that the low oxygen levels that accompany high-altitude sports impact the quality of sperm and decrease male fertility.
The study addresses the serious decline in male fertility over the last five decades. Since the 1970s, sperm counts have dropped by 50%, and there is no sign of that slowing down.
Several studies have shown how a lack of oxygen reaching the testicles threatens reproductive health. Medically, men are considered infertile if, after 12 months of regular unprotected sex, no pregnancy occurs. Those with low fertility have less chance of conceiving. Both infertility and low fertility have increased dramatically in recent years.
Medical conditions such as sleep apnea, testicular torsion, and varicocele seem to be the leading causes. Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum) accounts for 45% of infertility in men. Meanwhile, between 13% and 30% of men suffer from sleep apnea.
High camp on Manaslu. Photo: Shutterstock
High-altitude hiking and climbing have a much shorter effect on sperm. However, there is still a risk.
Low oxygen levels may not cause permanent infertility, but they do lead to a low sperm count, decreased sperm quality, and disruptions in hormone production. Tessa Lord, who led the study, commented, “The effects on fertility are short-term but can still take a few months to resolve after returning to sea level.”
The long-term effects of oxygen deprivation are still unknown. But according to recent evidence, Lord suggests that”testis hypoxia in fathers could result in embryos with developmental issues, and those children could grow up to experience fertility issues themselves.”
