Chris Barratt on head-banging sperm and a future male contraceptive pill

The Life Scientific

BBC

Technology, Personal Journals, Society & Culture, Science

4.6 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 22 August 2023

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Reproductive science has come a long way in recent years, but there's still plenty we don't understand - particularly around male fertility. The reliability and availability of data in this field has become more of a concern in light of a study published this year, suggesting that sperm counts worldwide have dropped 62% in the past 50 years. As yet there is no clear answer as to why that is. Professor Chris Barratt is one of the scientists working to change that. He's the Head of Reproductive Medicine at Ninewells Hospital and the University of Dundee Medical School, and has dedicated his career to better understanding male infertility; driving breakthroughs in how to study sperm dysfunctions – and most recently spearheading advances in developing a male contraceptive pill. Chris talks to Professor Jim Al-Khalili about his academic struggles as a youngster, the lecture that changed his life, his research into 'head-banging sperm' and why he believes a new male contraceptive could be a game-changer. Produced by Lucy Taylor.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to introduce myself.
0:03.7	My name's Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport podcasts.
0:08.4	I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with a leading journalist, experienced
0:12.2	pundits and the biggest sport stars.
0:14.3	Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights straight from the players'
0:18.5	mouths.
0:19.5	But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is our unique access to the sport world.
0:25.0	What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to
0:28.8	dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:31.0	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:35.2	BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts.
0:40.3	Hello and welcome to the podcast edition of The Life Scientific.
0:43.6	I'm Jama Khalili and this is the show where I get to talk with some of the world's leading
0:47.6	scientists and you get to find out what drives them, so sit back, get comfortable and enjoy
0:53.0	the episode.
0:54.6	Reproductive science has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, with remarkable
0:59.0	progress being made across a range of fertility treatments from IVF to the freezing of eggs.
1:04.7	However, there are still concerns around the quality and availability of research into
1:09.6	male fertility specifically.
1:12.0	In fact, a study published this year suggests that sperm counts worldwide have dropped 62%
1:18.2	in the past 50 years and there's no clear answer as to why that is.
1:22.9	My guest today is working to change that.
	...

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