Scientists have spent decades trying to untangle puzzling questions over falling sperm concentrations. A new analysis of 25 studies of pesticides shows a clear connection, researchers say.

A prolonged decline in male fertility in the form of sperm concentrations appears to be connected to the use of pesticides, according to a study published Wednesday.

Researchers compiled, rated and reviewed the results of 25 studies of certain pesticides and male fertility and found that men who had been exposed to certain classes of pesticides had significantly lower sperm concentrations. The study, published Wednesday in Environmental Health Perspectives, included data from more than 1,700 men and spanned several decades.

“No matter how we looked at the analysis and results, we saw a persistent association between increasing levels of insecticide and decreases in sperm concentration,” said study author Melissa Perry, who is an environmental epidemiologist and the dean of the College of Public Health at George Mason University. “I would hope this study would get the attention of regulators seeking to make decisions to keep the public safe from inadvertent, unplanned impacts of insecticides.”

      • BolexForSoup@kbin.social
        1·
        1 year ago

        Just like one can’t assume no pesticides because it’s “organic,” one also can’t assume all organic growing involves pesticides. Your comment is a bit ambiguous so just want to make it clear to folks that It’s entirely case by case.

        Basically organic farms can use pesticides.

        • quindraco@lemm.ee
          15·
          1 year ago

          You want a source on the definition of organic food? That’s tough, since there’s no one standard definition - different people mean different things by the term.

          Here is a source for organic foods being defined largely by avoiding synthetic substances. That means all “natural” or non-synthetic pesticides would be allowed and hence expected. Of course, I can find you another source with a competing definition.

          Ultimately, because “organic” means whatever the speaker wants it to mean at the time, it’s impossible to really have a rational discussion about whether or not organic farms use pesticides.

    • SelfAwareCoder@kbin.social
      325·
      1 year ago

      Organic food typically has more pesticides, since gmos are often attempting to remove the need for pesticides

      • Jajcus@kbin.social
        138·
        1 year ago

        Also organic farming relies on old types of pesticides instead of the modern ones which are designed to be more effective and safe.

        • wildginger@lemmy.myserv.one
          42·
          1 year ago

          Any farmer? Including me?

          Organic is nebulous, first off. But depending on your region, the organic label just makes some specific pesticides off limits. Which means we over apply the stuff we can use.

          There isnt a modern produce company on the planet who doesnt use pesticides. You cant compete otherwise. Only pesticide free foods are locally grown by very very very small gardens and farms.

    • jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de
      1·
      1 year ago

      That’s one solution, but even being more careful with what pesticides are used would help in this case (though it would still be devastating for the insect population and will come back to bite us in other ways)