Two researchers in India have uncovered key molecular pathways through which chronic psychological stress undermines male fertility, shedding light on a link recognised for more than four decades but long poorly understood. Psychological stress increases stress hormones such as cortisol and leads to the build-up of oxidative stress — molecules that can harm cells and tissues — in the bloodstream. High cortisol concentrations can lower testosterone, and researchers have speculated in the past that oxidative stress could impair the sperm production machinery. But as the experiments approached the 14th week, sperm count, sperm motility and sperm DNA integrity declined. The findings, experts say, help fill a long-standing gap in understanding how psychological stress translates into biological damage.

Source: The Telegraph January 22, 2026 01:51 UTC