Christmas Sale Now On!
🎁View our festive offers here 🎁

🎁 Christmas Sale Now On! View our festive offers here 🎁

0
BLACK FRIDAY – Up to 50% Off Tests, Refills & Supplements

The Science (and Chief Science Officer) Behind ExSeed

The Science (And Chief Science Officer) Behind ExSeed
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

We use Advanced AI to translate our blog content. If the translation isn’t perfect, or if you have any queries about the content, our medical team is readily available to answer. Simply email [email protected]

Behind our sperm memes and jokes about balls, ExSeed is a company based on deep science and medical expertise. We are lucky to be founded by – and work with – some of the leading experts in the fertility space, people with both extensive knowledge and incredible passion for sperm health. 

Here you can meet just one of the brilliant minds that helped build and grow ExSeed – our Chief Science Officer Emil Andersen. 

Emi Andersen – ExSeed CSO

Emil Andersen is our Chief Science Officer and with our CEO Morten G Ulsted, he founded ExSeed back in 2018. 

Emil has always had a great interest in the human body, and over the years he has grown to specialise in fertility. “With the recent scientific advances in genetic research, I’ve become really interested in how the environment interacts with our genes. I’m also fascinated by the impact our behaviours as parents-to-be have on our fertility and our children.”

After studying at some of the most prestigious universities in the World – ‘I studied at the University of Copenhagen and University of Sydney and my PhD has been taking place at the University of Copenhagen and University of Cambridge” – Emil started his career working as a researcher in Stem cell biology and moved into Reproductive biology and Epigenetics. 

However, his desire to make an active difference for couples trying to conceive led to the idea for ExSeed.  “With ExSeed I wanted to create digital solutions that will help democratize the fertility industry. Many couples could benefit from getting help earlier in the process and improved education – with more focus on men – is an important part of optimizing fertility outcomes.”

In his personal life, Emil has always loved the idea of having children, and is now a father of one – but that wasn’t without its difficulties. “When my partner and I started trying we experienced a miscarriage which was hard for both of us. Luckily my partner fell pregnant not long after the miscarriage and we now have a happy, healthy little boy”.  His advice for couples thinking about starting a family is all about preparation. “It’s really important to discuss the ‘what if’ with your partner so you can prepare for whatever comes next – and of course, start out by testing your semen quality. Don’t be afraid as there are a lot of solutions if you should have a low semen quality!”

The Science Behind The ExSeed Tes

Having Emil on board as CSO allowed us to create a test that is not only quick and easy to use – but also just as accurate as a laboratory test at a fertility clinic.  

Using our innovative ExSeed device, our app and your smartphone, it is now possible to get an understanding of your fertility in the comfort of your own home. You simply deposit your sample onto one of the sample slides provided and then our device uses your phone camera to zoom in 200 times – so you can even see your sperm cells swimming on the screen. 

A tailor-made algorithm then tracks sperm cell numbers and their movement. They also check for round cells – a sign of infection. Your results are available in minutes and you will be given a Total Motile Sperm Count reading – one of the most accurate indicators of male fertility. The algorithm will then also create a personalised plan for improving or maintaining your sperm health based on your results, your physical health and lifestyle factors.

Whilst the initial analysis is completed remotely through tech, each test is verified by one of our in-house fertility experts – like Emil! –  who can then offer more specific advice and guidance if needed. 

Learn more about our at-home sperm test and order yours today.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
ExSeed home sperm test kit 2 test
ExSeed Home Sperm Test Kit (2 tests)

£74.99

ExSeed-Refill-Kit.png
Refill Kit Monthly Subscription

£24.99 / month

Christmas Combi
ExSeed Combi

£24.99£74.99

More to explore

ExSeed home sperm test kit 2 test
ExSeed Home Sperm Test Kit (2 tests)

£74.99

Christmas Combi
ExSeed Combi

£24.99£74.99

Christmas 5 test refill
ExSeed Refill Kit (5 tests)

£64.99

Wearing tight pants and underwear

Studies show that men who wear looser underwear have higher sperm concentration and total sperm count compared to men who wear tighter underwear. So, lose the tight clothes and wear something loose to give your testicles some air.

CONCLUSION: learn more about how heat can affect sperm quality here.

Stress

Besides higher mortality rate and various diseases, stress is associated with low sperm quality. Stress is known to be associated with lower testosterone levels and oxidative stress with both playing an essential role in producing and maintaining healthy sperm cells.

CONCLUSION: If you feel stressed, we recommend you get some help so you can have a balanced mental health. For a stress management guide, download the ExSeed app for free and start your personalized action plan today.

Physical activity

Scientific studies show that men who are physically active have better semen parameters than men who are inactive. Fertility specialists also state that regular physical activity has beneficial impact on sperm fertility parameters and such a lifestyle can enhance the fertility status of men.

Prioritizing exercise can help improve your overall health and result in healthy, fast swimming sperm cells that have good chances of fertilizing an egg.

CONCLUSION: Try incorporating exercise in your weekly schedule to you ensure exercising at least twice weekly. We recommend a combination of cardio training and strength exercise. Read more about exercise and male fertility on our blog.

Nutrition

Fast Food
Processed foods damage the health of sperm-producing cells and cause oxidative stress, which lead to poorer sperm quality. Heavy consumption of junk food (every week) can increase the likelihood of infertility since men who consume vast amounts of unhealthy food are at risk of having poor sperm quality. Besides harming your fertility, junk food enlarges your waistline, harms your cardiovascular system, kidneys, and more.

Vegetables
Eating more fruit and vegetables can increase your sperm concentration and motility. It’s important that you consume a healthy diet filled with antioxidants and that you eat vegetables every day. Foods such as apricots and red bell peppers are high in vitamin A, which improves male fertility by nurturing healthier sperm. Men who are deficient in this vitamin tend to have slow and sluggish sperm.

Sugary snacks/beverages: several times a week Excessive consumption of high sugar items can lead to oxidative stress, which negatively impacts testosterone levels and sperm motility. Sugary snacks and beverages are also highly associated with obesity and low fertility.
CONCLUSION: To boost sperm quality, stay away from fast food, processed food, and sugary snacks or beverages. You need to implement a healthy prudent diet filled with necessary superfoods needed for good sperm production. Check out our guide to Male Fertility Superfoods. For personalized guidance and support on how you can start improving your sperm health, check out the Bootcamp.

Heat

Direct heat can inhibit optimal sperm production and cause Sperm DNA damage. Sperm cells like environments that are a couple of degrees lower than body temperature. Avoid overheating from warm blankets, seat warmers, heat from your laptop, hot showers, and saunas.

Cigarette smoking

The exposure to tobacco smoke has significant negative effects on semen quality. The damage of cigarettes and nicotine of course depends on how many cigarettes you smoke per day and for how long, but even low usage (up to 10 cigarettes / day) can inhibit healthy sperm production.  

CONCLUSION: Stay as far away from cigarette smoking as possible if you care about your general health and your fertility. Read more here.

Cell phone

When you have your cell phone in your front pocket, your testicles are exposed to electromagnetic radiation, which studies have shown to damage the sperm cells. Put your phone in the back pocket of your pants or in your jacket pocket.

BMI

There is a clear association between obesity and reduced sperm quality. At least part of the reason for this is that obese men may have abnormal reproductive hormonal profiles, which can impair sperm production and lead to infertility. 

A BMI higher than 30 can lead to several processes in the body (overheating, increase in oxidative stress in the testes, sperm DNA damage, erectile dysfunction) that can have a negative impact on male fertility. This can result in problems when trying to conceive.  

CONCLUSION: BMI is one of the risk factors that influence semen quality and, for example, sperm motility.  

Alcohol

A beer or glass of wine now and then do not really harm sperm quality. But excess alcohol drinking (more than 20 units per week) can reduce the production of normally formed sperm needed for a successful pregnancy.

CONCLUSION: If you want to stay safe, stay under 14 units of alcohol per week. For more information on how alcohol can affect male fertility, take a look at our blog: “Alcohol and Sperm Quality”.

Age

Studies show that women younger than 35 and men younger than 40 have a better chance of getting pregnant. Men can produce sperm cells almost through their entire life, but the sperm cell DNA is more fragile and prone to damage after the age of 40.

As men age, their testes tend to get smaller and softer resulting in a decline in sperm quality and production. These changes are partly because of an age-related decrease in testosterone level, which plays a very important role in sperm

production. Higher male age (>40 years) is not only associated with a decline in sperm production but also with increased sperm DNA fragmentation and worsened morphology (shape) and motility (movement). These negative effects make the sperm cells less qualified for egg fertilization.

CONCLUSION: with an age under 40, you shouldn’t have to worry much about age as a factor in itself. However, studies have shown a slow decline after the age of 30-35 years

and if you are above 40 years of age, your sperm quality can be affected due to increased sperm DNA damage resulting in a decrease of sperm motility and concentration. Remember that you cannot evaluate the quality of a sperm sample by just looking at it – this requires a sperm analysis.