Nashauna Drummond, Lifestyle Coordinator

Dr Vernon DaCosta - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

In Jamaican culture, a man's reproductive prowess reigns supreme. Any mention of low sperm count or infertility is seen as an affront to their ego and blame on a couple's inability to reproduce is usually laid squarely at the feet of the woman.

According to consultant obstetrician gynaecologist at the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr Vernon DaCosta, "Sperms live for three days while the egg has a lifespan of only 24 hours, therefore, the fertile window each month is three days".

An infertile couple is one that is unable to conceive after a year of regular unprotected sex. The challenges affecting conception are usually 40 per cent the woman's, 40 per cent the man's and 20 per cent in both. Approximately 10-15 per cent of all couples worldwide are infertile and in Jamaica, the rate is similar.

Lifestyle and infertility

There are a number of factors that can render a man temporarily infertile. According to Dr DaCosta, there are a number of lifestyle activities that can create this condition. Specific to Jamaica, these include, but are not limited to:

Promiscuity: This increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections which could lead to permanent infertility. STIs can block the testicular tube (that carries sperm). Depending on how badly damaged they are, they may be irreparable, even with surgery. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the two STIs most clearly associated with infertility. Promiscuity also lowers a man's sperm count (this is temporary).

Excessive drinking: This can lead to a decrease in sperm count and movement.

Smoking: Smoking harms sperm's motility (ability to swim). Recreational drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine and anabolic steroids, can harm sperm health. Sperm develop over a three-month period; as a result, your mature sperm today may have been affected by how you lived three months ago.

Obesity: Studies have indicated that every 20 pounds that a man gains increases infertility by 10 per cent. Excessive body fat increases the production of oestrogen-type hormones, which affects sperm production.

Stress, diabetes and malnutrition also contribute to infertility.

A recent study by the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health also suggests that higher intake of soy foods and soy isoflavones is associated with lower sperm concentration.

The effect of environmental toxins on men's fertility is very controversial. Globally, there is an increase in low sperm count which is believed to have been caused by increased exposure to the female hormone oestrogen, by-products of which can be found in everyday products, such as Styrofoam. Some experts believe it is contributing to a general worldwide decline in male fertility. Currently, the University of the West Indies is poised to undertake a study looking at water supply and how it relates to men's exposure to oestrogen and other toxins that may have an effect on quality of sperm.