Researchers from the University of Western Australia have found that men who perform "mate guarding" behaviors such as staying close to their significant others in social situations are likely to have sperm of poorer quality than men who do not.

The team surveyed 45 men from West Australia in committed heterosexual relationships regarding their actions of mate guarding and analyzed their semen samples.

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The study found that men with fewer mate guarding behaviors had a higher percentage of motile sperm, or sperm that swim faster and less erratically, and have a greater concentration of sperm.

Samantha Leivers, who conducted the UWA study, said there is proof the sperm quality in fish and birds is associated with mate guarding behavior. The research by the UWA team marks the first investigation to find out whether or not the concept is applicable to people in relationships.

She said acts of mate guarding in humans is quite wide and can include anything from giving a partner jewelry, flowers, an engagement ring or physically defending the significant other.

"Some of the behaviors can be not leaving your partner's side at a party or you can give a guy the stink eye if he's looking at your girlfriend or you can actually physically attack another man if you think that he's at your girlfriend," Leivers said.

She added there are also subtle ways of observing the behavior, such as giving gifts to signal to other men that "this woman is in a relationship."

"Even the more negative things that you think of, like moaning about your partner to your friends, because that makes her look like a less desirable mate to them," she added.

Leivers also said it's unclear whether or not sperm quality is fixed or dependent on situational factors when it comes mate guarding.

TagsSperm quality, Mate guarding, Mating behavior, University of Western Australia, relationship, Heterosexual relationship