Semen Quality as a Predictor of Long-Term Health

A landmark study published in Human Reproduction reveals that men with low semen quality face a significantly higher risk of premature death, reinforcing the idea that semen quality may serve as a universal biomarker of long-term health and mortality risk.

Semen Quality and Its Link to Lifespan

The study followed 78,284 men over a period of up to 50 years, making it one of the largest and longest investigations on this topic. Conducted in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 1965 and 2015, the study analyzed semen quality in men undergoing fertility assessments and tracked mortality data through national registries.

Key semen parameters—such as total motile sperm count (TMSC), sperm concentration, and motility—were analyzed in relation to lifespan and overall health outcomes.

Key Findings: Dose-Dependent Relationship Between Fertility and Mortality

• Men with a higher TMSC (≥120 million) had a life expectancy (LE) of about 80.3 years.
• Men with azoospermia (zero sperm count) had a reduced LE of 77.6 years, living 2.7 years less than their counterparts with higher semen quality.
• Azoospermic men had a 39% increased risk of death compared to fertile men.
• Mortality risk increased sharply in men with TMSC between 0–5 million (61% higher risk) and remained elevated in those with counts between 5–10 million (highest risk group).
• Even after adjusting for education and pre-existing health conditions, the association between poor semen quality and reduced lifespan remained consistent.

Why Does Semen Quality Predict Lifespan?

Men with low semen quality are often found to have higher rates of chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive system disorders. This suggests that reproductive function reflects broader health, and underlying disease processes may be at play well before they are clinically apparent.

Interestingly, even men without diagnosed diseases but with poor fertility had shorter lifespans, supporting the idea that semenquality is a general marker of male health.

Implications for Health and Prevention

Male infertility may signal broader health issues, urging clinicians to assess general health when low semenquality is detected. Routine semen analysis could serve as a predictive tool for long-term health and offer opportunities for early interventions. The dose-dependent pattern of mortality risk highlights the need for comprehensive assessments beyond fertility concerns.

Conclusion: Reproductive Health as a Health Marker

This study underscores that male reproductive health is deeply connected to overall longevity, with lower semen quality predicting higher mortality risks regardless of other health conditions.

As study author Dr. L. Priskorn emphasizes, “Male reproductive function is a biomarker of long-term survival.” These findings advocate for greater attention to men’s reproductive and general health—not only for family planning but also for lifelong well-being.

More Information: Priskorn, L., Lindahl-Jacobsen, R., Jensen, T. K., et al. (2025). Semen quality and lifespan: a study of 78 284 men followed for up to 50 years. Human Reproduction. doi:10.1093/humrep/deaf023.