Due Deferens 5

Separate studies show chemicals, cigarettes may affect male birth rate

The percentage of boys born in the U.S. and Japan each year has gradually declined over the last three decades, a new study says -- and pollutants are a possible cause. "Male reproductive health is in trouble," says lead researcher Devra Lee Davis of the University of Pittsburgh, noting that both adult fertility and fetal chances seem to be affected. The study, published in the online journal Environmental Health Perspectives, calls the trend "a serious matter" that could be caused by exposure to chemicals like dioxin and mercury; it also points to factors including stress, obesity, and fertility treatments. The true cause, says Davis, is "something we need to find out and act upon." Because a woman without a man -- well, she'd probably be fine, but still. Meanwhile, a British study says smokers are twice as likely to conceive girls, suggesting that nicotine may affect sperm. Yes, smoke gets in your Y's -- but picking up puffing in an effort to determine your child's gender is not recommended.

source: The Globe and Mail, Martin Mittelstaedt, 11 Apr 2007

source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, David Templeton, 10 Apr 2007

source: ABC News, Dan Childs, 09 Apr 2007

source: Brisbane Times, Australian Associated Press, 11 Apr 2007

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  1. sfern Posted 6:06 am
    11 Apr 2007

    Nicotine sensitivity?Is it possible that nicotine (or any one of the miriad of nasties in cigarette smoke) is more lethal to male embryos than females?  Or is it more likely that it's the sperm carrying a Y chromosome that's more sensitive?  I didn't read the background articles, so excuse the ignorance.

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  2. blooc Posted 4:46 pm
    11 Apr 2007

    you must be kiddingWith soon to be 9 billion people in the world we could use alot more male reproductive health problems. The only way the world (other species) will survive is if we stop reproducing. And people seem to be too stupid to stop.

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  3. Greenbeings Nancy Posted 7:01 pm
    11 Apr 2007

    Nature works in myterious wayOne-child Policy in China means parents prefer male child over female as the male child carries the father's surname through prosperity.  In India it is the dowry system that encourages birth of sons over daughters.
    On reading that birth rate of male has plunged, it makes me wonder if this is nature's way to balance things out.  Is the presence of sex relationships part of this evolution?
     

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  4. atreyger Posted 12:26 am
    12 Apr 2007

    Wait a second...How is a higher female/male ratio a problem? I wish that it was about 3 to 1, at least.
    *Spoken like a true male.

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  5. cigarettes Posted 12:53 am
    21 May 2008

    feel confusedIt may sound strange, but only now I think of WHY all  friends of mine, which are in couples and have that bad habit of smoking cheap cigarettes , gave birth to girls only!? Your article perplexed me a lot.

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