Obese men have a lower chance of reproducing, and it's just not because they're less likely to score with chicks at the bar. No, obese men have an actual physical problem down there, with their sperm.

According to new studies, obesity impairs fertility by not only drastically reducing sperm count in men, but also by altering the quality of sperm. Additionally, a previous study found that obese men were more likely to battle impotence problems too.

Obviously, obese men who want to have kids should slim down but not just in the interest of improving their chances of conceiving. Obesity is one of the highest causes of premature death -- and you want to live to see those kids grow up, don't you? Well, then, now might be just the time to align yourself with America Takes It Off. Click here to learn more. And come back and see us on Monday -- we'll be issuing a challenge that might just help you on your way to slimmer days.

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It's still pretty summery in most places but soon enough fall and winter will be here, which means instead of cranking the A/C on your way to work you'll be hitting the seat-warmer switch.

Or maybe you'll want to think twice about that...

A recent study in Germany found that the heated seats found in more and more vehicles as a luxury option are not only heating people's chilly bums but they're also essentially cooking men's privates and causing them to have significantly lower sperm counts.

Of course this is really only an issue for guys who are trying to have a baby, in which case experts recommend wearing loose undies, making frequent stops on long trips, and trying to use the heated seats as little as possible.

Via Autoblog

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The latest in fertility treatment might come down to a simple diet -- for both men and women.

Researchers reported last week that obese men tend to make less semen and have abnormal sperm. This finding adds to recent research showing that obese women are more likely to be infertile.

There's nothing too scientific about the implication of this research. It's simple: Men and women who wish to conceive should first achieve an ideal body weight.

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For guys who have hopes of starting a family some day, steering clear of Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medication may be a wise idea.

According to a study out of Queens University in Belfast, Ireland, taking even the recommended dosage of PDE-inhibiting drugs (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc.) can cause damage to sperm heads, thereby preventing penetration of the female egg. However, it is important to note that these findings came from a test-tube study, not from a study on the effects of PDE drugs on sperm inside the human body. To this point, researchers caution that lab results often do not reflect what happens in the human body, and sperm in particular is known to be highly sensitive when removed from its natural environment.

Nevertheless, it still may be worth seeking out other treatment options for dealing with ED. Consult a urologist for alternatives to PDE inhibitors.

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The Candy Man may mix things with love, but he may be doing more harm than good in that department. Consider a recent study from the University of British Columbia, which found that a diet high in sugar can lower testosterone levels, not only making it harder for men to get and maintain erections, but also zapping their sex drive. All those sweets drive triglycerides up, cause sex hormone-binding globulin to plummet and testosterone to go MIA.

The journal Urology Times published the results of a separate study on the effects of high blood sugar on sperm, revealing that sugar-rich diets contributed to 20 percent more cases of mutation than what was found in men who followed a healthier diet.

So much for chocolate being an aphrodisiac. And for The Candy Man having an active sex life. And for me coming up with a clever way to end this post.

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If your boys can swim, as George Constanza proudly stated in an episode of Seinfeld, you and your partner may not have much trouble getting pregnant. But, your boys' swimming ability can be hampered by a lack of sex.

It seems that the more often a guy has sex, the better the chances of conception. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine reports that a study on this topic was recently conducted; scientists took samples from 42 men with irregularly shaped, damaged sperm and found that for 88 percent of them, there were fewer damaged sperm in samples taken daily than in samples taken after a three-day abstinence.

Evidently, this down-time is long enough for older sperm to damage newer sperm. The only solution? Have more sex, and have it with more regularity. If only all problems could be cured in this manner, the world would be a much happier place.

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If you're having trouble conceiving, check your fridge -- new studies show that eating soy may compromise the quality and quantity of sperm in men. This study was done at the Harvard Public School of Health in Boston, and examined the soy eating habits of a number of men who were having trouble conceiving with their partners.

However, this study contradicts previous findings that soy was good for fertility in men. Though in an interesting twist, the previous study was funded by the soy industry. Which study are you most likely to believe.

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Obviously, smoking is bad for you, and it's long been proven that second-hand smoke poses a significant health-risk, especially for children who live with a smoker. But a new study suggests that fathers who smoke may be harming their children even before they're born, thanks to the effects cigarettes have on their sperm's DNA.

Essentially, smoking causes mutations in the DNA of sperm. Recent research with mice proves that these mutations are often inherited, and "persist as irreversible changes in the genetic composition of offspring." Subsequently, "fathers can potentially damage offspring long before they may even meet their future mate."

I was a father who always said he'd quit smoking before his child was born (and I did). But now, knowing this, I wish I'd never taken up the habit in the first place.

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