Semen analysis in fertile patients undergoing vasectomy: reference values and variations according to age, length of sexual abstinence, seasonality, smoking habits and caffeine intake

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown regional and population differences in semen characteristics. The objective was to establish reference values for semen analysis and to verify the effect that age, length of sexual abstinence, seasonality, smoking habits and coffee consumption have on fertile individuals’ semen characteristics. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study in the Urology Division, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Between September 1999 and August 2002, 500 fertile men requesting a vasectomy for sterilization purposes were asked to provide a semen sample before the vasectomy. We evaluated the effects of age, sexual abstinence, seasonality, smoking and coffee consumption on semen characteristics. RESULTS: Compared with World Health Organization values, 87.2% of the patients presented sperm morphology below the normal level. A significant decline in semen volume, sperm motility and sperm morphology in patients over 45 years of age was observed. In patients with 5 days or more of abstinence, there was reduced sperm motility. The lowest values for sperm concentration, motility and morphology were observed in summer and the highest in winter. No differences in semen parameters relating to smoking were detected. Patients who drank six or more cups of coffee per day presented higher sperm motility. CONCLUSIONS: Our sample had a very low percentage of normal sperm morphology. Only sperm morphology showed a high abnormality rate. Differences in semen parameters with regard to age, length of sexual abstinence, seasonality and coffee consumption were identified. No differences relating to smoking were detected.

Download Full-text

Male Fertility and Reduction in Semen Parameters: A Single Tertiary-Care Center Experience

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2012/649149 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

D. Milardi ◽

G. Grande ◽

D. Sacchini ◽

A. L. Astorri ◽

G. Pompa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reference Values ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Care Center ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

University Hospital ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Spontaneous Conception

Background. Infertility is both a clinical and a public problem, affecting the life of the couple, the healthcare services, and social environment. Standard semen analysis is the surrogate measure of male fertility in clinical practice.Objective. To provide information about the relationship between semen parameters and spontaneous conception.Methods. We evaluated retrospectively 453 pregnancies that occurred among 2935 infertile couples evaluated at an infertility clinic of a tertiary-care university hospital, between 2004 and 2009.Results. Normal semen analysis was present only in 158 patients; 295 subfertile patients showed alterations in at least one seminal parameter. A reduction in all seminal parameters was observed in 41 patients. Etiological causes of male infertility were identified in 314 patients.Conclusion. Our data highlights the possibility of a spontaneous conception with semen parameters below WHO reference values. Therefore, we support the importance of defining reference values on a population of fertile men. Finally, we analyzed the related ethical issues.

Download Full-text

Sperm mitochondrial DNA copy numbers in normal and abnormal semen analysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

10.22541/au.161815951.11049424/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daria Popova ◽

Priya Bhide ◽

Francesco DAntonio ◽

Purusotam Basnet ◽

Ganesh Acharya

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Spermatozoa Motility ◽

Standard Methodology ◽

Copy Numbers ◽

Dna Copy Numbers

Background: Normal mature sperm have a considerably reduced number of mitochondria which provide the energy required for progressive sperm motility. Literature suggests that disorders of sperm motility may be linked to abnormal sperm mitochondrial number and function. Objectives: To summarise the evidence from literature regarding the association of mitochondrial DNA copy numbers and semen quality with a particular emphasis on the spermatozoa motility. Search strategy: Standard methodology recommended by Cochrane. Selection criteria: All published primary research reporting on differences in mitochondrial DNA copy numbers between the sperm of males with a normal and abnormal semen analysis. Data collection and analysis: Using standard methodology recommended by Cochrane we pooled results using a random effects model and the findings were reported as a standardised mean difference. Main results: We included 10 trials. The primary outcome was sperm mitochondrial DNA copy numbers. A meta-analysis including five studies showed significantly higher mitochondrial DNA copy numbers in abnormal semen analysis as compared to normal semen analysis(SMD 1.08, 95% CI 0.74-1.43). Three other studies not included in the meta-analysis showed a significant negative correlation between mitochondrial DNA copy numbers and semen parameters. The quality of evidence was assessed as good to very good in 60% of studies. Conclusions: Our review demonstrates significantly higher mitochondrial DNA in human sperm cells of men with abnormal semen analysis in comparison to men with normal semen analysis. PROSPERO registration: CRD42019118841 Funding None received

Download Full-text

Role of Male Partners in 100 Infertile Couples

Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh ◽

10.3329/jafmc.v11i1.30670 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 50-53

Author(s):

Mah Jabeen Ara ◽

Sk Md Bahar Hussain ◽

Mamun Ur Rashid

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Sperm Morphology ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Medical College ◽

Sperm Abnormality ◽

A Prospective Study

Introduction: Approximately 15% of couples are infertile. Male infertility plays an important role in about half of these couples. This study has been done to determine whether sperm morphology and motility do really affect sperm count or spermatogenesis and at the same time causes a problem with fertility.Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate a males inability to cause pregnancy in a fertile female.Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 100 diagnosed infertile and subfertile couples in the age group of 23-58 yrs old male. They were selected from 01 March 2013 to 28 Feb 2014 undergoing treatment for infertility in Dhaka CMH. On the basis of sperm count the cases were grouped as follows: Normozoospermia, oligozoospermia & Azoospermia. Semen analysis was done in all the cases and the results were described with arithmetic mean and standard deviation.Results: Normozoospermia: Mean and SD of sperm count, sperm abnormality, sperm motility are 65.98± 5.05, 24.44±1.57 and 45.5±2.94 respectively; Oligozoospermia: Mean and SD of sperm count, sperm abnormality, sperm motility are 7.74±1.23, 41.1±3.78, 14.54±2.77 respectively; Azoospermia: Mean and SD of sperm count, sperm abnormality, sperm motility are absent.Conclusion: Here data statistically showed person with normozoospermia having good sperm morphology and motility than oligozoospermia and azoospermic subjects thereby causing male infertility which is responsible for hindrance in achieving pregnancy clinically.Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.11(1) 2015: 50-53

Download Full-text

162 FREEZING OF SEMEN FROM ENDANGERED ASTURIANA DE LA MONTAÑA BULLS IN ZWITTERONIC LIPIDS-BASED EXTENDERS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv20n1ab162 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 161 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C. Tamargo Miguel ◽

S. S. Pérez-Garnelo ◽

P. Beltrán Breña ◽

A. T. Palasz ◽

J. De la Fuente ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Egg Yolk ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Bull Semen ◽

Straight Line ◽

Before And After ◽

Arcsine Transformation

This experiment was designed to test the efficacy of 2 different preparation protocols of zwitteronic soyabean-origin lipids for the production of lipidsglycerol liposomes for use in bull semen cryopreservation. Lipids liposomes were prepared at 10% concentration in Tris buffer by 1. highpressure homogenization (Panda 2K, Parma, Italy) and then 8% glycerol were added, extender-1 (E-1); Lipids were homogenized together with glycerol, extender-2 (E-2). Bioxcell extender (E-3) was used as control. Semen was collected 3 times from 3 endangered Asturiana de la Monta�a bulls by the means of an artificial vagina. Ejaculates with at least 70% motility were processed further by a standard freezing protocol used in our AI station. Semen was diluted at 37�C with each of the 4 extenders to a concentration of 92 � 106 spermatozoa per mL, cooled to 4�C over 4 h, aspirated into 0.25-mL plastic straws (IMV Technologies, Aigle, France), frozen in a bio-freezer (IMV Technologies) in 3 steps from 4 to –140�C, and then plunged into liquid N2. Straws were thawed in a water bath at 37�C for 30 s. Sperm motility was analyzed microscopically immediately after collection, after dilution, and after 4, 24, 48, and 72 h of storage at 4�C. Post-thaw semen progressive motility was assessed microscopically, and sperm movement characteristics were analyzed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) (SCA�, Microptic, Barcelona, Spain). Data were compared between extenders and bulls by 2-way ANOVA; percentages were transformed by arcsine transformation before ANOVA. Total and progressive sperm motility at 0 h after dilution ranged from 90 to 70% and was not different between extenders and bulls. There was no difference between bulls in total and progressive motility after 24 h of cold storage; however, both were significantly greater (P < 0.05) for Control (62.4 � 14.7 and 41.4 � 14.9) and E-1 (70.1 � 12 and 33.8 � 7.0) extenders than for the E-2 extender (22.5 � 17 and 1.2 � 1.3). Average post-thaw sperm motility was not different between bulls for either extender, but motility for Bioxcell (Control, 48.1 � 14.6%) and E-1 extenders (43.2 � 13.0%) were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than for E-2 extender (18.7 � 8.8%). There were no differences between bulls for all kinematic semen parameters: curvilinear (VCL), straight line (VSL), average path (VAP) velocities, linearity (LIN) and straightness (STR), evaluated by CASA before and after freezing; however, all were lower (P < 0.05) for the E-2 extender and not different between Control and E-1 extenders. Sperm movements derived from heads (VCL) and linearity of sperm(LIN), both closely related to field fertility, were in the range of 90.9 � 2.1 and 63.0 � 5.5 for E-3 (Control) extender; 99.1 � 3.4 and 49.4 � 3.5 for E-1; and 21.8 � 2.2 and 29.9 � 4.0 for E-2. In summary, zwitteronic soyabean lipid liposomes are an effective egg yolk substitute for the cryopreservation of Asturiana de la Monta�a bull semen; however, the homogenization protocol of the lipids-glycerol mixture must be improved.

Download Full-text

Effects of Varicocelectomy on Abnormal Semen Parameters in Patients with Clinically Palpable Varicocele

Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin ◽

10.3329/bmrcb.v43i2.35196 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 94-100

Author(s):

Md. Selim Morshed ◽

AKM Khurshidul Alam ◽

AKM Anwarul Islam ◽

Sojib Bin Zaman ◽

Mohammad Saruar Alam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Surgical Correction ◽

World Health ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Semen Parameter ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Prevalence of varicocele is approximately 15.1% of the general population. Studies showed that surgical correction of clinically palpable varicocele could improve the semen parameters. However, there is scarce of study to demonstrate post-operative outcome of varicocelectomy among the patients with abnormal semen parameter. Therefore, this study tried to compare the microscopic changes in sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology before and after varicocelectomy. This quasi-experimental study was done in Urology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 2014 to April 2016. Forty five patients with clinically palpable varicocele were finally includedin the study. Semen parameters of these patients were assessed by following the World Health Organization′s 5th manual of semen parameter, 2010. Subinguinal varicocelectomy was performed in every case. Follow up was done three months and six months after surgery. Data were analysed with statistical software SPSS 20 and level of significance was assessed by paired t-test.Almost 60.0% of patients were from 25 to 35 years age group. Of them, 87.1% patients were presented with left-sided varicocele, and 80% were grade III. All the patients showed oligospermia on semen analysis, whereas the number of abnormal sperm motility and abnormal morphology was 39, and 09, respectively. After surgical correction of varicocele, mean improvement of sperm concentration, motility and morphology found in 35 patients (77.7%), 31 patients (79.4%) and six patients (66.6%) respectively. The improvement was statistically significant (p<0.05). This study showed that surgical treatment could lead to the betterment of semen parameters in patients with clinically palpable varicocele, which will guide in deciding the management of varicocele patients presented with abnormal semen parameter. However, to recommend varicocelectomy as a most useful procedure in treating infertility cases; further longitudinal studies are recommended to establish the impact of varicocelectomy on

Download Full-text

Ejaculatory abstinence in semen analysis: does it make any sense?

Therapeutic Advances in Reproductive Health ◽

10.1177/2633494120906882 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 263349412090688 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shah Dupesh ◽

Natarajan Pandiyan ◽

Radha Pandiyan ◽

Jeeva Kartheeswaran ◽

Bhaskar Prakash

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Sperm Morphology ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

World Health ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Normal Sperm ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ejaculatory Abstinence

Background: The precise effect of ejaculatory abstinence on semen parameters is highly debatable, especially among subfertile men. Previous studies on effect of abstinence time on different semen parameters have reported controversial results. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the variance of semen parameters with different periods of ejaculatory abstinence among both a population of normozoospermic ( n = 1621) and oligozoospermic ( n = 416) Tamil men, presenting to a fertility clinic for an infertility evaluation ( N = 2037). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2037 semen analysis reports involved grouping patients based on their ejaculatory abstinence, that is, <24 h, 1 to 2 days, 3 to 7 days, 8 to 15 days, 16 to 30 days, and >30 days. All semen parameters were assessed as per the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010) recommended guidelines. The unpaired two-tailed t-test and Welch’s analysis of variance (ANOVA) combined with Games–Howell post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. A p value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Result: A retrospective analysis of data ( N = 2037) identified no statistically significant differences in semen parameters of sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile sperm, and normal sperm morphology in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic individuals across different groups of abstinence. Semen volume was the only parameter that showed a statistically significant difference in both groups ( p < 0.0001). In both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men, the group with <24 h abstinence had the highest mean percentage of progressively motile sperm and normal sperm morphology. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that ejaculatory abstinence may be highly arbitrary, and the recommendation of a strict 2- to 7-day abstinence per the WHO may be liberalized. In both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men, semen parameters associated with an abstinence of <24 h were found to be noninferior as compared to longer ejaculatory abstinence intervals. These findings support in eliminating conservative recommendations as far as abstinence is concerned and suggest that patients may be asked to collect a semen sample on the day they present for an infertility evaluation, regardless of abstinence.

Download Full-text

Paper-Based Quantification of Male Fertility Potential

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1373/clinchem.2015.250282 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 458-465 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Reza Nosrati ◽

Max M Gong ◽

Maria C San Gabriel ◽

Claudio E Pedraza ◽

Armand Zini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Absolute Humidity ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Clinical Practices ◽

Male Factor ◽

Fertility Potential

Abstract BACKGROUND More than 70 million couples worldwide are affected by infertility, with male-factor infertility accounting for about half of the cases. Semen analysis is critical for determining male fertility potential, but conventional testing is costly and complex. Here, we demonstrate a paper-based microfluidic approach to quantify male fertility potential, simultaneously measuring 3 critical semen parameters in 10 min: live and motile sperm concentrations and sperm motility. METHODS The device measures the colorimetric change of yellow tetrazolium dye to purple formazan by the diaphorase flavoprotein enzyme present in metabolically active human sperm to quantify live and motile sperm concentration. Sperm motility was determined as the ratio of motile to live sperm. We assessed the performance of the device by use of clinical semen samples, in parallel with standard clinical approaches. RESULTS Detection limits of 8.46 and 15.18 million/mL were achieved for live and motile sperm concentrations, respectively. The live and motile sperm concentrations and motility values from our device correlated with those of the standard clinical approaches (R2 ≥ 0.84). In all cases, our device provided 100% agreement in terms of clinical outcome. The device was also robust and could tolerate conditions of high absolute humidity (22.8 g/m3) up to 16 weeks when packaged with desiccant. CONCLUSIONS Our device outperforms existing commercial paper-based assays by quantitatively measuring live and motile sperm concentrations and motility, in only 10 min. This approach is applicable to current clinical practices as well as self-diagnostic applications.

Download Full-text

Correlation between Sperm Parameters and Protein Expression of Antioxidative Defense Enzymes in Seminal Plasma: A Pilot Study

Disease Markers ◽

10.1155/2015/436236 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Biljana Macanovic ◽

Milica Vucetic ◽

Aleksandra Jankovic ◽

Ana Stancic ◽

Biljana Buzadzic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Expression ◽

Seminal Plasma ◽

Sperm Morphology ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Defense Enzymes ◽

Antioxidative Defense ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Progressive Motility

Background. Semen analysis is the cornerstone in the evaluation of male (in)fertility. However, there are men with normal semen tests but with impaired fertilizing ability, as well as fertile men with poor sperm characteristics. Thus, there is rising interest to find novel parameters that will help to predict and define the functional capacity of spermatozoa.Methods. We examined whether there is a correlation between semen parameters (count, progressive motility, and morphology) and protein expression/activity of antioxidative defense enzymes in seminal plasma from 10 normospermic subjects.Results. Sperm progressive motility was in positive correlation with seminal plasma protein expression of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms (MnSOD and CuZnSOD) and catalase. Also, positive correlation was observed between sperm count and MnSOD protein expression, as well as between sperm morphology and protein expression of catalase in seminal plasma. In contrast, protein expression of glutathione peroxidase was not in correlation with any sperm parameter, while its activity negatively correlated with sperm morphology and motility.Conclusions. These data suggest that evaluation of protein expression of antioxidative defense enzymes in seminal plasma might be of importance in the evaluation of male fertility status and that could be used as an additional biomarker along with classic semen analysis in assessment of semen quality.

Download Full-text

An age-based nomogram based on cut off values of semen analysis results, from 2010 who reference values for semen characteristics

Fertility and Sterility ◽

10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.07.1034 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 112 (3) ◽

pp. e360-e361

Author(s):

Guy Shrem ◽

Michael H. Dahan ◽

Jacques Balayla ◽

Naama Steiner ◽

Alexander Volodarsky-Perel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reference Values ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Semen Characteristics

Download Full-text

Using Zinc in Management of Subfertile Male Patients: a Clinical Trial

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal ◽

10.47723/kcmj.v13i1.120 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 32-38

Author(s):

Husamuldeen Salim Mohammed Saeed

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Dynamic Analysis ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Zinc Level ◽

Reproductive Hormones ◽

Self Control ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Zinc Levels

Background: The use of minerals in treatment of different diseases is as old as man himself. zinc is the most famous trace mineral related to male sexual function. Oligoasthenozoospermic subfertile patients were treated with zinc sulphate for three months. Objectives: Aim of the research is to investigate the role of Zinc and if it affects the abnormalities of some semen parameters and to study the possible role of pharmaceutical preperations of zinc in amelioration of male subfertility as well as to assess the ability of Zinc to induce changes in the serum and semen zinc levels in addition to the levels of reproductive hormones (FSH and Testosterone). Type of the study: The study is a single group pretest-posttest experimental prospective comparative self-control; clinical trial research. Methods: The patients were tested before and after the treatment for semen analysis via Computerized Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) dynamic analysis report I and II as well as for FSH and Testosterone hormonal levels, serum and semen zinc levels . Results: Zinc administration induced a significant increase(p≤0.001) in FSH, Testosterone, serum and semen zinc level as well as in the total and progressive sperm motility percentages . Conclusions: Zinc administration induced significant changes (p≤0.001) towards improvement in the total and progressive sperm motility percentages in oligoasthenozoospermic patients by CASA dynamic analysis report I and II.

Download Full-text