Health & Fertility Archives - San Diego Sperm Bank

Medical Screening And Testing At San Diego Sperm Bank

Sperm donors at San Diego Sperm Bank are tested, examined, and screened during the application process and throughout their time as an active donor. The screening and testing help monitor samples for infectious diseases and genetic conditions that could cause adverse outcomes for recipients and offspring. Additionally, samples are routinely screened to ensure they are high enough quality for treatment use. Here is a look at the testing and screening that donors undergo while at San Diego Sperm Bank. Initial Screening and Testing Potential donors are initially screened for age at the time of the online application. Per directives that … Read More

The Evolution of Sperm

Does size matter? When talking about sperm, recent research suggests that it might. According to a study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, the size of sperm may be affected by where it fertilizes the female’s egg. All sexually reproducing species create sperm to fertilize eggs. But it turns out the size of sperm can range dramatically because they are among the most diverse cells in animals, including humans. To test how sperm size changes over time, evolutionary biologists compared the behavior of sperm in external fertilizers with those of internal fertilizers. External fertilizers include animals like fish, … Read More

The Covid Vaccine and Sperm Health — What We Know Now

According to a new study, sperm count and quality did not decrease for healthy men who received the first or second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in June 2021, provide evidence that it is highly unlikely that immunization from these two sources compromises male fertility. The research only applied to vaccines based on mRNA platforms, which Pfizer and Moderna both used. The Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines are based on different genetic material, so were not part of this study. Still, experts say that all four versions … Read More

How Cleaning Products Can Impact Fertility

Since many of us use common cleaning products on a daily basis, it can be easy to overlook their potential negative effects. While most cleaning and disinfecting products are safe at low levels of exposure, those known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are in some products, can harm fertility in men and women. These include widely used compounds such as Bisphenol A, phthalates, and parabens, which clinical research has shown to affect sperm production and decrease overall sperm health. To help you mitigate the potential risks of EDCs, we suggest taking the following actions. Buy organic produce. Choosing organic fruits … Read More

Why is Male Fertility Decreasing?

Currently, more than 80 countries, including the U.S., have birth rates below the population replacement level of 2.1 births. By 2050, it is expected that 75% of all nations will have a birth rate that is lower than population replacement. At the same time, the number of births per person has declined from 5 in 1964 to 2.4 in 2018. Reasons for the decline in births is a multifaceted issue and contributing factors include people choosing to have smaller families, changing cultural norms, having kids later in life, and the rising costs of raising children. But there may also be … Read More

How Stress Affects Sperm Health

Though 2020 has raised anxiety levels for nearly everyone, stress is still a part of life during less trying times, too. Yet even when we are experiencing it, the effects of stress can be difficult to measure. A recent study co-sponsored by the Danish Ministry of Health set out to quantify the effects of psychological stress on male fertility in particular. The purpose of the study was to discover possible connections between stress and testicular function among a group of 1,362 young men with the median age of 19. The study included semen and blood samples as well as a … Read More

How Does Marijuana Use Affect Sperm Health

In 2020, citizens of Arizona voted to approve Proposition 207, legalizing the possession and use of marijuana. The state joins 14 others, including California, where marijuana use is now legal. At San Diego Sperm Bank, our experts field questions from donors and potential donors about how marijuana may affect sperm count and overall sperm health. To help answer those questions, we’ve looked at some studies detailing possible connections between marijuana use and sperm health. Links Between Marijuana and Sperm Count Although more testing and research is needed to reach conclusive results, enough has been done to confirm that regular marijuana … Read More

What is the Prostate Gland and Why is it Important?

Comedy movies and TV sitcoms often poke fun at the prostate gland (no pun intended). But in reality, it serves an important function in the male body. So what is it, where is it, and why does it matter? The prostate gland is located between the bladder and rectum, which is why the best way to examine it is rectally. It is made of different types of cells, including smooth, involuntary muscle and secretory cells. The fluid secreted by the prostate makes up the seminal fluid in semen, enzymes, fats, and proteins (but no sperm cells). Why is the Prostate … Read More

It’s National Fertility Week – Here’s Why that Matters

April 21-29 is National Fertility Week, an initiative created by RESOLVE, the National Fertility Association. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness about infertility, encourage advocacy and education on the issue, and to help those dealing with infertility find solutions and cope with the condition. Part of this effort includes spreading reliable scientific information and countering cultural myths. And one of the biggest myths is that infertility is mainly a female issue, which is simply not true. Studies show that male infertility is the main issue in about 30% of cases in which a couple is unable to … Read More

5 Lifestyle Factors that Affect Sperm Quality

Many factors that affect your sperm quality are beyond your control including genetics, your age, and whether you have a chronic disease or illness. However, there is much you can do to promote good sperm production, and it starts with maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Five important factors to consider when you’re trying to conceive a child or want to become a sperm donor at San Diego Sperm Bank. Keep your testicles cool. The testes must remain cooler than the rest of your body to function properly. Studies reveal that repeated and consistent heat exposure can cause a significant drop in … Read More

The Link Between Diet and Sperm Quality

Making healthy lifestyle choices improves not just your fertility but your overall health. No surprise there. Regular exercise, moderate alcohol use, avoiding tobacco, and maintaining a healthy weight for your body size all contribute to good health and good sperm production. However, it is possible for you to practice healthy habits and still have a below average sperm count. Fortunately, there are ways to improve sperm health by focusing on your diet. Below are some of the vitamins and minerals that can help boost male fertility. You can get these through a variety of foods, by taking nutritional supplements, or … Read More

How Chemotherapy Affects Sperm Count and Fertility

Though fairly rare overall, testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer among men 15 to 34 years of age. It is also one of the most treatable forms, with a cure rate of about 96% when caught in its early stages. Until recently, not much was known about the effects of treatment on male fertility. But according to a new study published in the Annals of Oncology, there is good news for men who must undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat testicular cancer. This research showed that one round of post-operative chemotherapy or radiotherapy did not reveal long-term … Read More