Troubling news.

The quality of New Zealand men’s sperm has halved in two decades – the most dramatic drop of any western country.

New research presented to a gathering of international fertility researchers in Brisbane today was told that the sperm volume carried by the average New Zealand man decreased from about 110 million to 50 million per millilitre between 1987 and 2007.

Baby batter experts are at a loss to explain the reduced fertility of Kiwi fellas.

Dr Peek said there were two broad theories on sperm quality decline, one being that semen was affected by environmental toxins, diet and modern changes in lifestyle.

“The other is that it is a consequence of what happened when the guy was a baby in the womb, and what his mother was exposed to, but it’s still unclear,” he said.

Although, Doc Peek couldn’t help having a little dig at New Zealand.

“New Zealand is unlikely to have a different situation unless,” he joked, “you consider all the fertile New Zealand men may be heading over here”.

And who can blame him? Our boys can swim.

This contrasts with Australia and the United States, where no decline has been seen.

Have you got any other theories about the cause of this terrible tragedy?