Findings suggest possible role of sperm quality decline in ASD

A study from Iraq suggests an association between the increase in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over recent decades and a decline in sperm quality.

Noting that ASD rates have risen rapidly over recent decades, and that sperm quality has declined significantly over the same period—for example, studies in several Western countries show that sperm concentrations have declined by 50% over the past four decades—Adil Abdul-Rehman Siddiq Al-Salihy analyzed trends in ASD prevalence and sperm quality parameters from 2000 to 2024.

He reports, “Strong negative correlations exist between ASD prevalence and sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, total sperm count, the volume of ejaculate, pH level, and testosterone levels. This indicates that decreases in these sperm quality parameters are associated with increases in ASD prevalence.” In contrast, he found strong positive correlations between ASD prevalence and greater sperm DNA fragmentation (which indicates more significant DNA damage within sperm). Higher white blood cell count and greater semen viscosity also correlated positively with ASD prevalence, which he says “indicates potential inflammatory or infectious processes that might affect reproductive health and neurodevelopment.”

He concludes, “The study highlights the importance of maintaining reproductive health to potentially mitigate ASD risk and calls for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these trends. These findings support the hypothesis that reproductive health factors play a crucial role in ASD etiology and suggest potential biological markers for assessing ASD risk.”

Citations

“Longitudinal trends and correlation between autism spectrum disorder prevalence and sperm quality parameters (2000–2024): a comprehensive statistical analysis,” Adil Abdul-Rehman Siddiq Al-Salihy, Frontiers in Reproductive Health, August 21, 2024 (free online). Address: Adil Abdul Rehman Siddiq Al-Salihy, [email protected].