Men’s sperm counts have fallen by almost 60 per cent since the 1970s, according to major research which warns that modern life may be fuelling a male fertility crisis.

Experts said the “shocking” decline should be treated as an “urgent wake up call,” with chemicals, pesticides, stress and obesity among the factors linked to the changes. 

Researchers said humans could become extinct if sperm counts in Western countries continue to fall at the current rates.

Scientists behind the study, which tracked more than 40,000 men, said the findings should also be seen as a “canary in the coal mine” which could signal damage to health far beyond fertility.

Lower sperm count is linked to higher death rates, as well as to increased chances of suffering other diseases.