BAD AIR LINKED TO SMALL, WEIRD SPERM

But researchers remain sceptical, stress that study is just ‘observational’

PARIS

MEN exposed to fine particle air pollution may risk having smaller, abnormallyshaped sperm, said a study yesterday, warning that this “may result in a significant number of couples with infertility”.

An analysis of 2001-2014 data for more than 6,400 Taiwanese men and boys, aged 15 to 49, found “a robust association” between a decline in “normal” sperm and exposure to PM2.5 pollution, it said.

PM2.5 is the term used for air pollution containing the smallest of particles, those measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or less. A micron is a millionth of a metre.

The link was observed for short-term exposure of three months, as well as for long-term exposure of two years, according to study results published in the medical journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine, though outside experts questioned the conclusions.

The research team said every increase of 5ug/m³ in PM2.5 exposure more than two years was associated with a “significant drop” of about 1.29 per cent in normal sperm shape and size.

Pollution exposure was measured at each participant’s home address using National Aeronautics and Space Administration satellite data. rock and roll band and embark on a musical career.

Cassidy starred as lead vocalist and guitarist Keith Partridge, with the band releasing hits such as I Think I Love You, which hit number one on the Billboard chart in 1970.

Over the next 40 years, Cassidy continued to tour and record, releasing 12 studio albums and selling more than 30 million records, scoring Grammy nominations in the process.

While sperm shape and size declined, sperm numbers increased, “possibly as a compensatory mechanism”, the researchers found.

A similar correlation was witnessed with PM2.5 exposure of only three months — how long it takes for sperm to be generated.

The team stressed the link was merely “observational”, which means they cannot definitively state that air pollution was the cause of sperm size decline.

Allan Pacey, a professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield who was not involved in the study, said sperm size and shape was hard to assess, and their effect on infertility unclear.

“So, while the authors have found a potentially interesting biological result, I am not sure that it is clinically meaningful.” AFP

He also made appearances on television and the stage, including several Broadway shows, such as the original production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Of his working life, Cassidy said: “I’m an optimist. I mean, you have to be with my career.”

Cassidy, who lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was survived by his two children — Beau, 26, a singer-songwriter, and Katie Cassidy, 30, an actress. AFP