TMBRA - Rider Board

[Jack99]

hello doc;

does riding a bike cause male infertility??? i have a low sperm count and was still able to get my wife pregnant...had a vasctomy and then had a reversal...my sperm counts is still very low.. low enough where they think i need in-vetro to get her pregnant....but they tought the first time i would have to use in-vetro and it happen....so what do u think, does riding a bike cause male infertilty...

thanks, jack

[The Bike Doc]

Jack:

Male endurance athletes have been shown to have reduced sperm counts. See following abstracts and article: http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/81/6/2627
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7589675&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8425638&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum

However, aerobic exercise can improve libido and reduce the occurrance of impotence. See following abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15213209&query_hl=8&itool=pubmed_docsum

So the tough question to ask is: "Do I ease off on my bicycle riding to improve my chances of fathering another child?" If stoppping cycling turns you into a couch potato, then keep on pedaling. However, you may want to consider backing off on the intesity and duration of you cycling while you are doing your "homework" and look at doing alternate execises that will help you maintain a reasonable level of fitness such as swimming, weight lifting or brisk walking to name just a few options.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc