Originally posted by Nash
Oh YEAH?
It turns out you're WRONG!
Ha ha ha check THIS:
Each year an estimated 40,000 unwanted dogs and cats animals are killed in Hong Kong. There simply aren't enough good homes for them all. Even those that are lucky enough to find a home may not be lucky enough to keep it and end up abandoned back in the shelter system again. Many of these animals are bought at pet stores and are of particular breeds. Other equally tragic problems resulting from pet overpopulation include the transformation of some animal shelters into "warehouses", acceptance of neglect and cruelty to animals as a way of life in our society, and the stress that many shelter workers and veterinarians endure as a result of having to euthanise one animal after another. Unfortunately, so many living creatures are cuddled when cute and young, but become abandoned and thrown away when they become inconvenient. Animals who are abandoned and stray, and are able to survive, live in streets and around rubbish bins. These animals can get into trash, defecating in public areas and/or lawns, and spreading disease to other animals. Some scare away or prey upon wildlife, such as birds, in order to survive. They innocently cause anger to people who have no comprehension of their misery or of their needs.In addition to its impact on pet overpopulation, having your pet spayed/neutered provides many medical and behavioral benefits:Spaying greatly reduces chances of breast cancer and eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, as well as uterine infectionNeutering prevents testicular tumors in males, helps to prevent other prostate problems, and decreases the likelihood of hernias. Neutered males are less likely to roam, reducing the chance of bite wounds and diseases caused by fightingMaking sure your pets are spayed or neutered helps to reduce some behaviours associated with unsterilised companion animals such as aggressiveness, spraying, roaming, etc. early age spay and neuter.Countless tax dollars currently used to house and euthanise animals each year can be redirected to other programs which
Au contraire, mon frère!
When a couple is diagnosed infertile, first thoughts often run to the woman. She's barren. She can't conceive. She's not a "complete" woman because she can't get pregnant. As nature would have it, problems with infertility are equally due to male and female conditions.
Infertility is the inability to get pregnant after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse. Statistics suggest that 35 to 40 percent of the problems are caused by male conditions, another 35 to 40 percent by female conditions, and the last 20 to 30 percent a combination of the two, plus a small percentage of unknown causes.
Men's part in fertilization is quite amazing. About 200 million sperm are mixed with semen to form ejaculate. In most men, 15 to 45 million of these sperm are healthy enough to fertilize an egg, although only 400 survive after a man ejaculates. Only 40 of those 400 reach the vicinity of the egg, surviving the toxic environment of the semen and the hostile environment of the vagina. After another process called capacitation (an explosion that allows the remaining sperm to drill a hole through the tough outer layer of the egg), only one lone sperm reaches the egg for fertilization and conception.
Even though specialists know the causes of male infertility, what's not always known is the cause behind the cause. There are many factors -- lifestyle, genetics, physiology -- that might explain low sperm count, slow sperm mobility, abnormal sperm shape, and so on.
Recent developments in treatment have made fertility possible for many men. But before undergoing any complicated procedures, there are some simple lifestyle changes that can better the odds of a successful conception. (These tips are helpful for any couple trying to conceive, whether or not infertility has been diagnosed.)
Stop smoking cigarettes or marijuana. Smoking tobacco has been linked to low sperm counts and sluggish motility. Long-term use of marijuana can result in low sperm count and abnormally developed sperm.
Decrease your drinking. Alcohol can reduce the production of normally formed sperm needed for a successful pregnancy.
Watch your weight. Both overweight and underweight men can have fertility problems. With too much weight, there can be hormonal disturbances, and when a man's too lean, he can have decreased sperm count and functionality.
Exercise in moderation. Excessive exercise could lower your sperm count indirectly by lowering the amount of testosterone in your body. And as you might have guessed, stay off the steroids -- they can cause testicular shrinkage, resulting in infertility.
Value your vitamins. Low levels of vitamin C and zinc can cause sperm to clump together, so keep your numbers up. Vitamin E can counteract excess free-oxygen radicals, which can also affect sperm quality.
Turn your back on toxins. Landscapers, contractors, manufacturing workers, and men who have regular contact with environmental toxins or poisons (pesticides, insecticides, lead, radiation, or heavy metals) are all at risk of infertility.
Have you ever heard the debate about whether men should wear boxers or briefs? It goes something like this: Briefs are tighter, so it's possible that they can raise your body temperature above the norm for sperm to survive. So if a guy wants to be really fertile, boxers are the way to go. Truth is, this has yet to be scientifically proven. But if you're trying to get pregnant, there's no harm in wearing loose clothing and staying out of hot tubs and saunas.
Since infertility affects one in 25 men these days, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude is the way to go if you're considering becoming a father.
