Men who do more physically demanding jobs involving heavy lifting are more likely to have higher sperm counts and testosterone levels, according to a new study published in the journal Human Reproduction.
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston collected samples and survey data from more than 1,500 men and women, focusing on a subset of these participants, including 377 male partners in couples seeking treatment at a fertility center between 2005 and 2019.
The men self-reported information regarding their lifting and moving of heavy objects, typical shifts, and physical level of exertion at work via a take-home questionnaire.
Semen samples were then analyzed and enzyme immunoassays, a widely used diagnostic tool, were used to assess reproductive hormone concentrations….