blindness... go figure
They started with 385 men but found only 37 who had normal levels. The results are interesting but it’s a very simple study.
“Based on a study of 385 men who suffered from river blindness.”
It was 37 men who were studied - the 385 number is how many were screened, but 90% were excluded from the study for various reasons.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Actually, of the 385, only 37 were in the sample:
Subjects
"In this study we screened a total of 385 patients who were diagnosed of onchocerciasis. Out of which, 37 (9.6%) were eligible for further tests, as their sperm counts were normal while the remaining patients had very low sperm counts and were therefore not used for further tests or were too weak after the preliminary screening tests and were not considered eligible for further test/studies. We therefore investigated the effects of ivermectin therapy on the sperm functions of these eligible 37 diagnosed patients of onchocerciasis who were of ages between 28 and 57 years."
The headline is grossly misleading & fear porn - the men are NOT sterile. For example, to use one pointed out in the study:
For example in a particular patient the sperm count dropped from 125 million cells per ml of sperm before therapy with ivermectin to 105 million per ml after the treatment
Does this look like "sterilization"? I suspect they thought no one would click the 'study' link & see the data/details. There are some decreases in sperm count, motility & some abnormal sperm, but the percentage decreases still allow for plenty of 'fertility' as seen by the populations in places that use ivermectin on a routine, constant basis.