The trend of couples starting families later in life is one of the most notable lifestyle developments of the last two decades. Due to their age or other factors, fertility may be diminished. Now there's evidence that men who sit for long periods of time may be reducing their chances of conception.
In the report, published in the journal Human Reproduction, Dr. Patrick Thonneau says not all men will become sterile by sitting for long periods. But it could make a difference for men who are at the threshold of fertility, such as those with low sperm counts.
The problem is that, when sitting for long periods of time, the body's temperature builds up in the scrotum and can affect sperm count and quality.
Dr. Thonneau, director of the Male Fertility Research Group in Toulouse, France, says men who spend a considerable amount of time in cars, such as taxi drivers, or those working in other "hot" environments, such as baking or welding, could be affected. He adds that his research team is working on a device to reduce scrotal temperatures.
