In: Biology
The average sperm count in males is now lower than it was several decades ago. The reasons for lower sperm counts observed in males today is not known. Propose a hypothesis as to why, global, sperm counts are lower today than then were fifty years ago. What experiment could you do to test your hypothesis?
Ans.
in the last 50 years there has been a huge increase in use of synthetic chemicals in every field and most important of them are pesticides and herbicides used in agriculture. also all other toxic chemicals used in any field finally reach soil or water. so my hypothesis to explain lowering of global sperm count is increased exposure to various toxic chemicals used particularly in agriculture and which are ingested alongwith food.
Experiment to test the hypothesis -
take two group of rats, one experimental and one control.
expose the experimental group to the suspected toxic chemicals at various concentrations.
the control group will not be exposed to those chemicals,and rest of the conditions will be same.
perform the sperm count and look for the changes in testis of experimental group rats as compared to the control group.
perform statistical analysis to check the significant differences in sperm count among the two groups , if any.