Misconceptions about falling sperm counts and fertility in Europe

The Science Policy Briefing on male reproductive health pubfished by the authoritative European Science Foundation （ESF） in 2010 echoes the views expressed in the famous paper by C.arlsen et al, suggesting that mean sperm counts decreased by 50%. The authors are convinced that the male reproductive system in industrialized countries is under attack from envi- ronmental chemicals. This may have farreaching consequences for the reproductive capacity of future generations. Their arguments, however, contain some misconceptions about declining sperm quality and fertifity. Although there is reason for concern about the effect of environmental pollution, the authors＇ pessimism is not justified.