Sperm, the source of human race reproduction, is the key to male fertility. At present, the incidence of human infertility is increasing. On the occasion of 10.28 Men’s Health Day, the professor will talk about the causes and prevention of male infertility. What is male infertility? According to the World Health Organization, if a couple has been living together for more than one year after marriage without any contraceptive measures, and the female partner is infertile due to male causes, it is called male infertility. The WHO considers infertility to be a worldwide problem affecting both men and women, with about 8 percent of couples of childbearing age suffering from infertility, which means that 50-80 million people worldwide have fertility problems. According to the latest survey of 19,595 couples in the Guangdong family planning system in 2005, the incidence of infertility among couples of childbearing age in Guangdong Province was 14.7%. The World Health Organization predicts that in the 21st century, infertility will become the third most common disease after tumors and cardiovascular diseases. Causes of male infertility The root cause of the decline in male fertility is the environmental pollution that is destroying the human living environment. Chemical drugs, pesticides, plastic products and other chemical “reproductive toxins” can not be quickly degraded in the soil, and eventually enter the human body through the enrichment of the biological chain, because these toxins are a kind of estrogenic substances, relatively small impact on women, but become the “invisible killer” of the male reproductive system “They damage the testicular spermatogenic epithelium, affect sperm production, interfere with hormonal balance, and affect the further maturation of sperm. Environmental estrogens like DDT, PCBs, and dioxins can cause constant androgenic reproductive system disorders of the same degree. Another major factor causing male infertility is reproductive system infections, some data show that infertility has reproductive tract infection factors accounted for 52.26%, the proliferation of sexually transmitted diseases has become a major cause of infertility caused by sexually transmitted diseases, mycoplasma solium is common, the detection rate of 40 to 58%, mycoplasma can adhere to the “parasite” in the body of the sperm, leading to reduced viability, increased malformation. Mycoplasma can adhere to the body of the sperm, resulting in decreased vitality and increased malformation. The incidence of infertility due to chronic prostatitis is 5-25%. The inflammation causes a decrease in the quality of seminal plasma and induces the production of anti-seminal antibodies. Treatment of infertility Currently there is some progress in diagnostic treatment for the rising incidence of infertility. The use of tamoxifen, zinc protein complex, levocarnitine, Chinese medicine and simultaneous treatment of prostate disease and varicocele have improved the quality of semen in patients. Application of creatine phosphate and in vitro addition of astragalus can also improve sperm quality, and injections for assisted reproduction are effective for hypersecretory infertility; medical fertility techniques have evolved from artificial insemination and IVF to intracytoplasmic microinjection of sperm, bringing hope to patients with obstructive azoospermia. It is worth mentioning that traditional Chinese medicine in China has a unique advantage in treating infertility. As early as the Qin and Han dynasties, the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine discussed eloquently the relationship between the human kidney energy on growth, development and reproduction, and the famous formula “Wu Zi Yan Zong Tang” from the Tang dynasty has been handed down through the ages, giving rise to many clinical prescriptions for treating infertility. The bi-directional endocrine regulation function of Chinese medicine, which is higher than the level of estrogen and androgen, reflects the essence of “holistic treatment and seeking the root of the disease” in Chinese medicine. The efficacy of combining Chinese and Western medicine in treating infertility is much higher than that of a single drug, which is the advantage of Chinese masculology. How to prevent male infertility? Male infertility can be a huge blow to many families. There are some bad habits that can directly affect sexual function and lead to infertility. (1) No smoking and no alcohol. The man drinks and smokes excessively, which can lead to low testicular function and affect sperm production; the woman drinks and smokes, which can affect the endocrine function and lead to menstrual disorders leading to amenorrhea and infertility. (2) grasp the amount of exercise. Excessive exercise can damage the secretion of hormones in men and women, disrupting ovulation patterns and limiting semen secretion. (3) Change your eating habits. A partial or vegetarian diet may affect the production and union of sperm and eggs. Therefore, in terms of main and side dishes, they should be adjusted as much as possible to make them more diverse. (4) Avoid mental stimulation. A good mental state can keep the hormone secretion balance in the body. (5) keep the scrotum cool. The temperature inside the scrotum is 1 to 1.5 degrees lower than the usual body temperature, the testicular temperature rises, it will affect its sperm production function. For this reason, you should pay attention to keep your scrotum cool and not wear tight pants. (6) Take advantage of the time of intercourse; prevent too frequent intercourse. The number of sperm produced by the male partner is obviously insufficient to meet the requirements of conception; the woman ovulates on the 14th day before her menstruation, and the egg survives for only one day, which is the “fertile period”. Since the survival time of sperm is only about 2~3 days, having intercourse during the “fertile period” can increase the chance of conception. Diet and fertility improvement Infertile couples should eat more of the following foods in their daily lives to improve their fertility: (1) Zinc-rich foods: plant foods with high zinc content include beans, peanuts, millet, walnuts, sesame, etc.; animal foods, oysters are the richest in zinc, in addition, beef, chicken liver, eggs, pig liver, etc. also contain more zinc. (2) Animal offal: this kind of food contains a high amount of cholesterol, of which, about 10% is rich in biological hormones and sex hormones. Appropriate consumption of such food, to enhance sexual function has a certain role. (3) Slippery sticky foods: Arginine is an essential component for sperm formation and can enhance sperm motility. Foods rich in arginine include fish bladder, snow clam paste, eel, sea cucumber, cuttlefish, octopus, loach fish, sesame, yam, ginkgo, walnuts, etc. Male infertility is a clinical syndrome. The cause of the disease can be either single or the result of multiple factors, and the diagnosis and treatment is quite complex. As long as the pollution of human living environment is effectively controlled, couples of reproductive age improve their knowledge of reproductive medicine and health care, and avoid bad habits, the reproductive crisis of human beings themselves can be curbed. With the development of medical science, through the standardized combined treatment of Chinese and Western medicine, most infertility patients will achieve the goal of parenthood and family happiness.