Male infertility is a growing concern worldwide, prompting experts to call for urgent action from governments and healthcare systems. In a consensus report published in the journal Nature Reviews Urology, scientists led by the University of Melbourne have outlined recommendations to address this serious medical condition.
The report emphasizes the need for meaningful diagnoses and targeted treatments for male infertility, which are currently unavailable in most cases due to inadequate funding, research gaps, and non-standard clinical practices. To address these issues, the report suggests the establishment of a global "biobank" of tissues and clinical data from men, their partners, and children. This resource would help researchers better understand the genetic and environmental factors contributing to infertility.
Additionally, the report recommends the routine use of genomic sequencing and improved diagnostic tests to aid in identifying the causes of male infertility. It also calls for rigorous testing of the impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in everyday consumer products, the workplace, and the environment on men and boys. Regulations and policies to protect men and boys from these compounds, as well as the development of safe alternatives, are also proposed.
The report further highlights the importance of training healthcare workers to promote male reproductive health throughout the lifespan. It emphasizes the need for increased support for men and their partners, as infertility often leads to emotional distress. Currently, the cause of infertility is unknown for most men, and targeted treatments are limited. The economic and social burdens of male infertility are often overlooked, including the cost of treatments and the impact on mental health, relationships, and productivity.
Robert McLachlan, a co-author of the study, notes that medically assisted reproduction, which is often the default response to male infertility, fails to address the underlying cause and places the burden on women. Infertile men also appear to have a higher rate of chronic health disorders and a potentially shortened lifespan compared to fertile men. Further research is needed to understand these issues and assess whether these characteristics may be inherited by their offspring.
According to the World Health Organization, infertility now affects one in six couples of reproductive age globally. This consensus report provides a roadmap to address the increasing prevalence of male infertility and highlights the urgent need for action to support individuals and couples affected by this condition.
