The purpose of this research study is to learn more about how life experiences and everyday stress may affect the physical and genetic characteristics of sperm. 

You may qualify for a study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male ages 18-35
• Full-time student
• Willing to commute to the Denver area once a month for 9 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of psychiatric medications within the past year (e.g., antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics), mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, stimulants)
• History of infertility or testicular injury/disease
• Daily nicotine/tobacco use
• Daily cannabis use
• Current use of steroidal or beta-blocker medications
• Extreme physical activity (e.g., marathon, triathlon training)
• Major health conditions

This study includes one in-person visit per month over the course of 9 months. Each visit will last approximately 15-30 minutes. 

Visit 1 will consist of a Zoom screening call, as well as a urine drug screen.

Visits 2-3 will consist of additional urine drug screens and surveys about mental health and substance use.

Visits 4-9 are “collection visits.” These will be identical to visits 2-3, but participants will also be asked to provide a semen sample. If the participant is within 30min of Anschutz, they can complete the sample at home and bring it with them to their visit. Otherwise, we will reserve a private room on campus for them to collect the sample.

As a participant, you can receive up to $475 in Amazon gift cards for completing all study visits. 

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.