Dec. 15, 2008 -- Past studies have linked an individual's intelligence to his or her height, cardiovascular function and longevity, but now a new study suggests semen quality may be added to that list, since it also appears to help predict the level of a man's intelligence. The findings as a whole suggest that both intelligence and semen quality are fitness traits -- characteristics evolved to promote survival -- that are influenced by genetics. Other studies on twins of both sexes, and on adopted individuals, have demonstrated that, by middle age, a person's smarts are highly influenced, and at least partially predicted, by genetic makeup. Brain activity and semen quality would seem to have little connection, but that's one reason why lead author Rosalind Arden, a King's College London researcher, and her team decided to study a possible link. Related Content: Dino Intelligence: Dim to Somewhat Smart Video: Brain Power Animal Intelligence Resists Definition "Scientists know that intelligence is correlated with many other characteristics, but the reason is a puzzle," Arden told Discovery News. "We chose a trait -- sperm quality -- that seems to be quite unrelated to intelligence to test our general idea." She and her colleagues analyzed data gathered on thousands of U.S. Army veterans enrolled in the Vietnam Experience Study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in 1985. Out of 4,462 study participants, 425 provided semen samples that were scientifically evaluated at the time. The men also took five I.Q.-measuring tests. Arden's team used computer analysis to study that data, along with the semen determinations. The researchers found that a man's intelligence positively correlated with three key indicators of his semen quality: sperm concentration, sperm count and sperm motility. The findings have been accepted for publication in the journal Intelligence. "Most genes probably affect multiple traits -- this is strongly supported experimentally," Arden explained, saying that we all carry genetic mutations at varying levels. "Aside from the number of mutations we carry, their harmfulness varies," she added. "The specific mutations we carry are also on our lottery ticket." Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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