The researchers included Ishola Agbaje, M.D., from Queen's University of Belfast, Ireland.

For this study, the researchers looked at the semen and blood from a group of 27 men (on average early to mid 30s in age) who had type 1 diabetes, and who may or may not have been infertile. The researchers also looked at the semen and blood from 29 men (also on average early to mid 30s in age) who did not have diabetes, but who were having tests to determine their fertility

. Men who didn’t have diabetes who also did not have their infertility tested were not a part of this study group.

The study found that the men who had diabetes had less semen volume than those without, says WebMD. But those who had diabetes did have normal semen volume as determined by the World Health Organization (WHO), reports WebMD. And other factors like sperm count and motility weren’t that different between the men who had diabetes and those who did not.

Still, there was more DNA damage in men with diabetes, and damage in the sperm can make it likelier a man will be infertile, the researchers said. Yet there are other factors that account for damage in the DNA and diabetes may not have been the cause of the DNA damage in the men, says WebMD.

In addition, the study results should not be considered conclusive because it was a small study. The researchers say the study does not show for certain that diabetes is a cause of male infertility. Researchers say that more study in this area is still required.