"Sperm Quality Declines When Stored Too Long"... Optimal Abstinence Period for Conception Is 48 Hours [Health Issue]

[The Financial News] A new study suggests that, for those trying to conceive, it is most effective to keep the period of sexual abstinence within two days.
Researchers from the University of Oxford and other institutions conducted a comprehensive analysis of 115 human studies involving about 55,000 participants, along with 56 animal studies. They recently published their findings in the international journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
According to the study, sperm quality declines as more time passes after it is produced. When ejaculation is delayed for a long time, DNA damage and oxidative stress in sperm increase, while motility and survival rates decrease. These changes can lead to fertilization failure or poorer embryo quality.
The researchers noted, "Sperm do not store enough energy and have limited ability to repair damage on their own," adding, "The longer they remain in the body, the more rapidly their function deteriorates."
The team also commented on the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation that men abstain from ejaculation for 2 to 7 days before semen collection in assisted reproduction. They pointed out that seven days may be somewhat too long. In the studies reviewed, pregnancy success rates were higher when ejaculation occurred within 48 hours before sample collection.
The researchers emphasized, "What matters is not simply increasing the number of ejaculations, but making sure sperm are not left in the body for an excessively long time."
sms@fnnews.com Sung Min-seo Reporter