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New research shows that In less than forty years, sperm counts have fallen by more than half, in Western countries. The data, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is based on analysis of 185 separate studies of sperm counts in men from 1973 to 2011. Dr Hagai Levine, who was involved in the research, tells Radio 4's The World Tonight programme that "lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity and lack of physical activity" are all contributing factors to the low sperm count. He calls on clinicians to advise men who are planning to become fathers, "to avoid exposure to chemicals and improve their lifestyle to be healthier and more fertile". (Photo: Dr Hagai Levine, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Credit: PA)
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