After that, the sperm count was initially higher than the baseline (figure 2), likely due to full reserves.

Interesting. So there is a buildup of sperm that happens while this stuff is in. I suppose that might help actually, because the only reason you'd have it taken out is that you wanted a kid. So you get a built-in head-start maybe ^_^

Personally, I’d see it more as double insurance, but would you still consider it “worth it”?

Until we have suitable cures for all the STIs, my vote is to always use condoms.

I do think that is something we should be working toward, though. Eliminating STIs that is. I know it's probably not the most important priority, but I'd really like to see it happen. Even if it's just because I would like to see the horror in religious fundamentalists' eyes when they lose their last non-metaphysical platform for sex-negativity. :P