Good news for coffee-loving men - consumption of the beverage will not reduce their sperm count.

According to a number of studies presented at an international fertility conference, drinking coffee and/or alcohol is not associated with a reduction in sperm count, however exercise may increase it.

Scientists from Harvard in the US found that coffee and alcohol do not affect semen quality, including sperm count and motility (movement). Meanwhile French scientists also found that coffee does not have a detrimental effect on the quality of semen.

In another study, scientists looked at the link between exercise and semen quality and found that men who undertook higher levels of physical activity had higher concentrations of sperm.

"Helping men understand how their behavior may impact their fertility is very important. These studies help us provide better information to our patients," commented Dr Rebecca Sokol, vice president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

The studies were presented at the International Federation of Fertility Societies/American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting in Boston.