Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered that the effects of alcohol consumption can linger in a father’s sperm for longer than previously believed. Previous research has shown that paternal alcohol consumption can have negative effects on fetal development. This new study found that even after a man stops drinking, his sperm is still negatively impacted by alcohol. The withdrawal process can take over a month, as the body learns to operate without the chemical. This research challenges the common belief that only maternal alcohol consumption affects fetal development and highlights the need to consider the role of fathers in preventing alcohol-related birth defects. To prevent such defects, the researchers recommend that fathers abstain from alcohol for at least three months prior to conception.
https://today.tamu.edu/2023/12/13/drinking-prior-to-conceiving/