Human Reproduction at Risk?

In 2017, Professor Shanna Swan (Mount Sinai School of Medicine) showed that the sperm count of US males had halved over the previous 40 years (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/28/shanna-swan-fertility-reproduction-count-down). Swan suggests the decline in sperm count was largely caused by environmental chemicals. These suppress sex steroid (androgen and oestrogen) production by the gonads (testis and ovary). Sperm production by the testis depends on testosterone production (as well as FSH and LH from the pituitary gland). Prime hormone disrupters include Phthalates and Bisphenol A, both used in the production of plastics. Unless things change, by 2045, Swan thinks that most US couples will have to rely on assisted reproductive techniques.