The arrival of a new life is a doubling of happiness for every family and a reinterpretation of happiness.
However, infertility is a global medical and social problem that threatens population health. According to research, male sperm count has dropped by more than 50% worldwide in the past 40 years.
However, according to data from the National Health Commission: In 2016 alone, there were 45 million infertility patients in my country! With economic development, material and medical needs are gradually improving. In this era when there is basically no need to worry about food and drink, why is there still a large number of patients?
According to survey results: among 50% of infertile couples, declining male fertility is the leading cause. In the past 40 years, male sperm count has dropped by 60%, and sperm concentration has dropped by nearly 45%. Modern men’s fertility rate is declining at an alarmingly rapid rate, and it has reached a time when we need to be vigilant!
A large number of past studies have shown that industrial pollution, dietary changes, lifestyle, and other factors affect male reproductive health. However, changes in dietary structure not only cause metabolic problems (hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension) but also changes in the intestinal microorganisms known as the "second genome of the human body".
As the first barrier of the host's intestine, intestinal microorganisms play an important role in the host's immune regulation and substance intake. A large number of studies have shown that the imbalance of human intestinal flora may lead to the development of a variety of chronic diseases, such as obesity, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. It can be seen that the stability of the intestinal microecology is important for maintaining body health. has great significance.
Does gut flora affect male fertility?
The team of Professors Zhao Zijian, Professor Li Fanghong, and Professor Chen Hao from the Guangdong University of Technology, together with Professor Yao Bing's team from Nanjing Medical University and other research institutions, published an important research result in the famous journal Gut.
They found that gut microbes disrupted by high-fat meals caused a significant decrease in sperm count and motility. And they also observed this correlation clinically.
The reason behind this is that unbalanced intestinal microorganisms not only increase the level of epididymal inflammation (affecting sperm motility) but also cause a significant decrease in the expression of mitochondrial function-related genes and meiosis-related genes in cells in the testis (affecting sperm motility). sperm formation).
The results of this paper are the first to establish a functional link between high-fat diet-induced intestinal flora dysbiosis and impaired male fertility. It was clarified that intestinal flora imbalance caused by HFD is one of the main causes of decreased sperm production and motility. suggests the possibility of treating male infertility, especially infertility associated with metabolic syndrome, by restoring the gut microbial ecosystem.
Reproductive rights have a profound impact on racial reproduction. Therefore, in order to ensure sufficient reproductive opportunities, the body will always ensure an appropriate amount of healthy sperm. Studies have found that the semen in male testicles also has a dedicated microbial flora, and its existence is reasonable. It also means that the microbial flora has an impact on sperm.
After in-depth research, it was found that the semen flora also has the characteristics of the intestinal flora. For example, males whose sperm is dominated by beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, etc.) have more abundant sperm and higher activity. Scientists have found through experiments on mice - that appropriate supplementation of beneficial bacteria (L. reuteri, etc.) can increase the concentration and quality of semen, and those who insist on long-term supplementation will have healthier and better reproductive organs.
It is worth noting that if harmful bacteria in male semen are not suppressed by beneficial bacteria, in addition to causing harm to the host's own health, it will also harm the partner - for example, when Propionibacterium acnes proliferates unbalanced, it will Change the physiological functions of the reproductive tract of heterosexual partners, thereby causing infertility and other hazards.
It is undeniable that modern unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles pose challenges to male fertility, and all of this seems to be related to its destruction of intestinal flora.
Supplementing probiotics promotes the growth of intestinal epithelial cells and the state of the intestinal mucosa, and inhibits the attachment and growth of harmful bacteria in the intestinal wall, thereby improving body immunity, reducing the occurrence of problems such as intestinal leakage, and improving male fertility and quality. .
On the other hand, probiotics can produce short-chain fatty acids through metabolism, and by binding to cell surface receptors, they can enhance host reproductive hormone levels, such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone, etc., and ultimately help restore male reproductive health.