Washington: According to a recent study, recurrent miscarriage may be linked to the poor quality of a man’s sperm.
As part of the study, the researchers investigated the sperm quality of 50 men whose partners had suffered three or more consecutive miscarriages.
Recurrent miscarriage affects around one in 50 couples in the UK and is defined as the consecutive loss of three or more pregnancies before 20 weeks gestation.
Until recently recurrent miscarriage was thought to be caused by health issues with the mother, such as infection or immune problems.
However, doctors are now realising that sperm health may also play a role in this complication. Channa Jayasena, lead author of the research said, “Traditionally doctors have focused attention on women when looking for the causes of recurrent miscarriage. The men’s health – and the health of their sperm wasn’t analysed.” “However, this research adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests sperm health dictates the health of a pregnancy. For instance, previous research suggests sperm has an important role in the formation of the placenta, which is crucial for oxygen and nutrient supply to the foetus,” Jayasena explained.
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