• On average, sperm are produced at a rate of 1,500 per second per testicle.
• Sperm take 74 days to form and a further 26 days to mature and pass through the epididymis and vas deferens.
• A sperm lashes its tail 800 times to swim 1cm.
• Sperm reach the Fallopian tubes within 30 60 minutes after ejaculation into the female tract.
• Sperm normally only survive in the vagina for up to six hours as the acid vaginal secretions are hostile once in the alkaline mucus of the cervix, however, they can survive for several days.
• The average survival time for a sperm in the female reproductive tract is 3 4 days. Live sperm have been found in the female tract 7 days after ejaculation, but whether or not they are capable of fertilization remains unknown.

Infertility affects one in every six couples at some time. For at least 30% of couples seeking treatment, male infertility is the problem; it is a contributory factor in another 20 per cent of cases.

Drugs can affect lower sperm counts in some men which includes prescribed drugs (such as those used to treat cancer, diabetes and other long term conditions) and illegal drugs such as cannabis etc.

If you suffer from infertility and are taking any form of drugs, consult your doctor for advice on stopping or switching them.