From Spermiogram to Bio-Functional Sperm Parameters: When and Why Request Them?

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate whether infertile patients may benefit from the evaluation of bio-functional sperm parameters in addition to the conventional semen analysis. To accomplish this, we evaluated the correlation between conventional and bio-functional sperm parameters based on their percentile distribution in search of a potential threshold of these latter that associates with conventional sperm parameter abnormalities. The study was conducted on 577 unselected patients with infertility lasting at least 12 months. We identified cut-off values according to the median of the population for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), number of alive spermatozoa, and chromatin abnormality. High MMP (HMMP) (≥46.25%) was associated with sperm concentration, sperm count, progressive motility, and normal form. Low MMP (LMMP) (≥36.5%) was found to be associated with semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, and normal form. The number of alive spermatozoa (≥71.7%) was associated with sperm concentration and progressive motility whereas abnormal chromatin compactness (≥21.10%) was associated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, and progressive motility. The data would suggest that, for every increase in the percentile category of sperm concentration, the risk of finding an HMMP≤46.25 is reduced by 0.4 and by 0.66 for a total sperm count. This risk is also reduced by 0.60 for every increase in the percentile category of sperm progressive motility and by 0.71 for total sperm motility. Each increment of percentile category of the following sperm parameter was followed by a decrease in the risk of finding an LMMP≤36.5: sperm concentration 1.66, total sperm count 1.28, sperm progressive motility 1.27, total sperm motility 1.76, and normal form 1.73. Lastly, the data showed that, for every increase in the percentile category of total sperm count, the risk of finding an abnormal chromatin compactness ≤21.10 is reduced by 1.25 (1.04–1.51, p < 0.05) and an increase of total sperm motility is associated with a reduced risk by 1.44 (1.12–1.85, p < 0.05). Results suggest a correlation between bio-functional and conventional sperm parameters that impact the sperm fertilizing potential. Therefore, the evaluation of bio-functional sperm parameters by flow cytometry may be useful to explain some cases of idiopathic male infertility.

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Incidence and impact of hyperviscosity on sperm parameters of Malawian men seeking assisted reproduction

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v20i1.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Fanuel Lampiao ◽

Joseph Chisaka

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Volume Concentration ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Infertility Treatment ◽

Normal Morphology ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Accessory Sex Glands ◽

Semen Volume

Background: Seminal hyperviscosity has been shown to be associated with male infertility. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hyperviscosity in semen of Malawian males seeking infertility treatment. Methods: A total of 120 men visiting our laboratory for fertility assessment donated semen samples. The semen samples were assessed for hyperviscosity, volume, concentration, total motility, progressive motility, viability, and morphology. Results: Out of the 120 samples analyzed, 34 samples were hyperviscous representing 28.3%. No significant statistical differ- ence in semen volume between samples with normal viscosity compared to those with hyperviscosity (p>0.05). Sperm concen- tration, progressive motility, total motility, viability, and normal morphology were significantly higher in the normal viscosity group when compared to the abnormal viscocity group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hyperviscosity affects a significant number of men in Malawi and may be the cause of decreased fertility as it was associated with poor sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, viability, and morphology. Keywords: Viscosity; sperm motility; accessory sex glands; infertility; semen; semen analysis; spermatozoa.

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Improved sperm motility after 4 h of ejaculatory abstinence: role of accessory sex gland secretions

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd18135 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 1009

Author(s):

Dale Goss ◽

Bashir Ayad ◽

Gerhard van der Horst ◽

Bongekile Skosana ◽

Stefan S. du Plessis

Keyword(s):

Citric Acid ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Analysis ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Alternative Sources ◽

Abstinence Period ◽

Ejaculatory Abstinence

Various studies have sought to determine the typical v. optimal abstinence period after which semen samples should be collected, with many contradictory results reported. Several factors influence the semen microenvironment, and thus sperm parameters. In this study we focused on the secretions of the prostate, seminal vesicles and the epididymis. Semen samples were obtained from healthy normozoospermic males (n=16) after 4-day and 4-h periods of ejaculatory abstinence, and standard semen analysis was performed using computer-aided sperm analysis, whereas seminal plasma citric acid, neutral α-glucosidase and fructose concentrations were measured using assay kits. There were significant decreases in total sperm count (P<0.001), sperm concentration (P<0.05) and semen volume (P<0.05) after 4h compared with 4 days ejaculatory abstinence. Furthermore, increases were observed in total sperm motility (P<0.05) and sperm progressive motility (P<0.01) after a 4-h abstinence period, accompanied by significant reductions in citric acid (P<0.05), α-glucosidase (P<0.01) and fructose (P<0.01) concentrations. In addition, due to the decreased number of spermatozoa, these concentrations translated to a significant decrease in fructose (P<0.05) per spermatozoon, indicating an intrinsic mechanism capitalising on alternative sources of energy for increased metabolic function and subsequent sperm motility.

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Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Sperm Parameters in Men With Idiopathic Infertility

Journal of Guilan University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.32598/jgums.29.3.1422.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 14-21

Author(s):

Gholam Reza Mokhtari ◽

◽

Samaneh Esmaeili ◽

Mahsa Mahsa Zeinali Moghaddam ◽

Atefeh Ghanbari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Idiopathic Infertility ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Several studies have reported that cigarette smoking affects sperm parameters, especially semen quality, but their results are contradictory. Objective: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the relationship of sperm parameters with smoking in men with idiopathic infertility. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 1744 infertile men with at least one year of idiopathic infertility. They were divided into two groups of smokers (n=379) and non-smokers (n=1365) according to their smoking habits and based on their inclusion and exclusion criteria. The semen analysis was extracted from subjects’ medical records, and the collected data were analyzed in SPSS V. 19 software. Results: Smoking significantly reduced semen volume in smokers (2.88±1.50 mL) compared to non-smokers (3.28±1.77 mL) (P=0.002). There was a significant decrease in sperm motility in smokers (36.1±21.9%) compared to non-smokers (34.4±19.6%) (P=0.009). However, the association of smoking with sperm motility between men with normal and abnormal semen volumes was not statistically significant, and there was no significant difference in sperm count and morphology between infertile smokers and non-smokers (P>0.05). Conclusion: Smoking causes a significant reduction in semen volume, but has no significant effect on sperm count, morphology, and motility in men with abnormal and normal semen volume.

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The effects of varicocelectomy on the DNA fragmentation index and other sperm parameters: a meta-analysis

Basic and Clinical Andrology ◽

10.1186/s12610-020-00112-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ponco Birowo ◽

J. Rahendra Wijaya ◽

Widi Atmoko ◽

Nur Rasyid

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Fragmentation Index ◽

Common Causes ◽

Dna Fragmentation Index

Abstract Background Varicocele is one of the most common causes of reversible male infertility, and 15% of the varicocele patients with normal semen analysis are diagnosed as infertile. According to the current guidelines, varicocelectomy is indicated based on abnormal sperm parameters and not abnormal DNA fragmentation index (DFI) values. Thus, in this study, we performed a meta-analysis of the effects of varicocelectomy on the DFI and other conventional sperm parameters, and determined whether DFI could be used to indicate varicocelectomy for varicocele patients. Results Through an electronic search of the PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, and Cochrane databases, we included 7 prospective studies including a total of 289 patients in this meta-analysis. The results showed that varicocelectomy significantly reduced DNA fragmentation (mean difference: − 6.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: − 10.04, − 3.69; p < 0.00001) and improved sperm concentration (mean difference: 9.59; 95% CI: 7.80, 11.38; p < 0.00001), progressive motility (mean difference: 8.66; 95% CI: 6.96, 10.36; p < 0.00001), and morphology (mean difference: 2.73; 95% CI: 0,65, 4.80; p = 0.01). Conclusion Varicocelectomy reduced DNA fragmentation and improved sperm concentration, progressive motility, and morphology. Additionally, the analysis showed that an abnormal DFI measurement should be considered as an indication for varicocelectomy.

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Prevalence and Patterns of Male Infertility Based on Semen Analysis in Patients Visiting Massawa Hospital; Eritrea: Cross-Sectional Study; 2020

10.21203/rs.3.rs-401307/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Berhe Tesfai ◽

Fitsum Kibreab ◽

Hailemichael Gebremariam ◽

Liwam Abraham

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Male Factor Infertility ◽

Male Factor ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Primary Type ◽

Study Participants

Abstract Background Semen analysis is the first step to identify male factor infertility. World Health Organization estimates that male factor accounts for 50% of couple sub-fertility. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of male factor infertility based on semen analysis in patients visiting Massawa Hospital with infertility complaints. Methods It was a retrospective, descriptive cross sectional hospital based type of study with a census sampling method. Patient’s medical records and hospital laboratory register were used to retrieve semen analysis results of patients from June 2018 to June 2020. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ministry of Health Research and Ethical Review Committee. Confidentiality of patients records kept was secured and consent was obtained from study participants to use their data. Results were presented in frequency, tables and p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 112 patients data was analyzed in the study with 49.1% were aged between 20 to 30 years. The prevalence of male factor infertility in these patients was found to be 42% and 79.5% of them had primary type of infertility. Of the study participants; 63 (56.3%), 72 (64.3%) and 70 (62.5%) had sperm count < 15 million sperms/ml, sperm motility < 40 % and morphology of < 60% respectively. One tenth, 15 (13.4%) of the patients had a semen volume of < 1.5ml/ejaculate, out of which 13(86.7%) had primary type of infertility. Moreover; 72 (64.3%) patients had total sperm count/ejaculate of < 39 million and 59 (82%) of these had primary type of infertility. In addition; 50.8% and 50% of patients aged 20 to 30 years had a sperm count < 15 million/ml and sperm motility of < 40% respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of male factor infertility was slightly higher and was dominated with primary infertility. Most patients had lower sperm count, sperm motility but higher semen volume, and majority of the patients with abnormal sperm results were aged between 20 to 30 years. Further prospective researches to determine the risk factors for male infertility and introducing assisted type of fertility in Eritrea are highly recommended.

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Comparison of mice’ sperm parameters exposed to some hazardous physical agents

Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology ◽

10.5620/eaht.2021013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. e2021013

Author(s):

Mohammad-Bagher Abdollahi ◽

Somayeh Farhang Dehghan ◽

Faezeh Abasi Balochkhaneh ◽

Manouchehr Ahmadi Moghadam ◽

Hamzeh Mohammadi

Keyword(s):

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Field Studies ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

World Health ◽

Control Group ◽

Normal Morphology ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Noise Vibration ◽

Health Organization

The present study was aimed to compare the effects of exposure to noise, vibration, lighting, and microwave on male mice’ sperm parameters. The mice were randomly assigned to five groups of eight, which comprised of the unexposed group and exposure groups including the lighting (1000 lux), noise (100 dB(A)), vibration (acceleration of 1.2 m/s2) and microwave (power density of 5 watts). The exposure groups were subjected to the four agents for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week during a 2-week period. Semen analysis were done according to World Health Organization guidelines. The highest significant mean difference in sperm count (-1.35×106/mL) had being observed between the microwave group and the control one (P=0.001). The highest difference in immotile percent (25.88 %) had being observed between the noise group and the control one (P=0.001). The highest difference in normal morphology (-27.06 %) observed between the lighting exposure group and the control group (P=0.001). The four agents can cause changes in different sperm parameters, however for definite conclusion; more laboratory and field studies are required. In total, exposure to microwave has had the greatest effect on sperm count and exposure to light has had the greatest effect on normal morphology and non-progressive motility. Moreover, exposure to noise has had the greatest effect on progressive motility and immotile percent, respectively.

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Effects of Sperm Parameters on Pregnancy Rate in Patients Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination

Gynecology Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine ◽

10.21613/gorm.2020.1040 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Mehmet Solakhan ◽

Mustafa Demir

Keyword(s):

Intrauterine Insemination ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Sperm Volume ◽

Infertile Couples

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effects of sperm parameters on the success of intrauterine insemination were investigated. STUDY DESIGN: The data from 309 infertile couples who were admitted between 2012-2018 without a female factor were analyzed retrospectively and included in the study. After the administration of gonadotropin and hCG (5000-10000 IU), single insemination was performed in 36-40 hours in all cycles. All couples underwent routine infertility screening. The relationship between sperm parameters (motility, morphology, sperm count), patient age, duration of infertility with intrauterine insemination success was evaluated.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean age and age related-parity. There was no statistically significant difference between male ages, liquefaction, and sperm volumes between the two groups (p=0.898, p=0.448, p=0.651). Before washing; There was a statistically significant difference between the sperm concentration, percentage of total motile sperm, percentage of progressive motility sperm, percentage of normal sperm morphology, and total sperm count between the two groups (p=0.0001, p=0.0001, p=0.0001, p=0.0001, p=0.0001). After sperm washing; the results were similar to those obtained before washing. While statistically significant difference was observed between sperm volume and sperm concentrations (p=0.023, p=0.018), no significant difference was observed between the two groups in total sperm count (p=0.612).CONCLUSION: As a result, during the application of intrauterine insemination to infertile couples, total motile sperm count, progressive motility sperm count ratio and high sperm ratio with normal morphology used in order to increase pregnancy success can be considered as criteria that increase the chances of success.

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Dependence of physical characteristics of ejaculate of Polish Landrace boars on the time interval between successive ejaculate collections

Roczniki Naukowe Polskiego Towarzystwa Zootechnicznego ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0013.5142 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 21-34

Author(s):

Stanisław Kondracki ◽

Maria Iwanina ◽

Dariusz Kowalewski ◽

Magdalena Bajena ◽

Anna Wysokińska

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Physical Characteristics ◽

Time Interval ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Ejaculation Frequency

The aim of the research was to determine the dependence of physical properties of boar ejaculates on the time interval between successive ejaculate collections. The material for the study comprised 1954 ejaculates collected manually from boars used for artificial insemination. For all ejaculates, the ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa, and number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate were determined, and the number of insemination doses per ejaculate was calculated. The boars’ suitability for artificial insemination was evaluated taking into account the effect of the time passed between ejaculate collections. The ejaculate volume and the concentration and number of sperm in the ejaculate were shown to increase with the time elapsed since the previous ejaculate. The number of insemination doses obtained per ejaculate increased as well. Ejaculates with a high sperm count were obtained when the ejaculation frequency was no more than every 4 days. The percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility increased with the time elapsed since the collection of the previous ejaculate, but only up to 4 days. Further decreases in ejaculation frequency no longer resulted in increased sperm motility.

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Semen production of the American kestrel

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z77-175 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 55 (8) ◽

pp. 1351-1358 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

David M. Bird ◽

Paul C. Laguë

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Barometric Pressure ◽

Weather Factors ◽

American Kestrel ◽

American Kestrels ◽

Semen Volume ◽

The Mean ◽

Egg Fertility

In 1975, semen was collected by massage from 18 randomly selected captive male American kestrels (Falco sparverius). The period of semen production extended for 103 days, beginning on March 19, while the mean duration of semen production was 73.6 days. Under natural light, semen production began at [Formula: see text] of daily light, peaked about [Formula: see text], and decline considerably around June 21 at [Formula: see text]. Weather factors, i.e., temperature, barometric pressure, did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect semen collections or quality.The following means were calculated: semen volume, 12 μl; sperm concentration, 31 000/mm3; sperm count per ejaculate, 416 000; motility score, 78%; contamination with epithelial debris and urates, 67%; and semen colour, very pale to pale amber.The following significant (P < 0.05) correlations were found: body weight with semen volume (0.48) and sperm count per ejaculate (0.54); egg fertility with sperm count per ejaculate (0.65); semen volume with sperm count per ejaculate (0.84) and sperm motility (0.54); sperm count per ejaculate with sperm concentration (0.78); and sperm motility with sperm concentration (0.59) and sperm count per ejaculate (0.75).

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55 EFFECT OF TREHALOSE FOR FROZEN–THAWED RAM SPERM MOTILITY PARAMETERS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv27n1ab55 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 120

Author(s):

M. M. Toishibekov ◽

M. T. Jazkbayev ◽

B. B. Molzhigitov

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Egg Yolk ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Indigenous Sheep ◽

Standard Tool ◽

Freezing Curve ◽

Ram Sperm

Computer-assisted sperm analysers have become the standard tool for evaluating sperm motility because they provide objective results for thousands of mammalian spermatozoa. Ram semen was collected using electro-ejaculation from 10 adult rams of Chingizskaya indigenous sheep breed. Motility was determined using computer-automated semen analysis (Hamilton Thorne Motility Analyzer, Beverly, MA, USA). Trehalose solution (0.375 M) was added to Tris-buffered saline solution to give the following trehalose extenders: 25, 50, 75, and 100% (vol:vol), and analysed for motility using computer-automated semen analysis. The sperm pellets were resuspended at 24°C in cooling extender – trehalose extenders of each concentration containing 5% egg yolk. The diluted semen was cooled to 5°C within 2 h. The semen was then further diluted 1 : 1 with freezing extender – each trehalose extender containing 1.5% glycerol to obtain a sperm concentration of 2.0 × 108 cells mL–1 – and then loaded into 0.5-mL straws. Straws were frozen using a programmable freezer with a freezing curve of 5°C to –5°C at 4°C per min, –5°C to –110°C at 25°C per min, and –110°C to –140°C at 35°C per min, and then the straws were plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. Frozen samples were thawed in a 37°C water bath for 30 s and analysed for motility using computer-automated semen analysis. Statistical analyses were performed with a Student's test. The fresh semen samples showed the next results: motility 88.3 ± 2.4%, progressive motility 26.8 ± 6.9%, and progressive velocity 61.9 ± 4.2 μm s–1. Motility of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa was 63.6 ± 2.9% (25% trehalose), 55.6 ± 5.2% (50%), 32.4 ± 4.7% (75%), and 23.6 ± 3.2 (100%). Progressive motility was 15.6 ± 3.9% (25%), 13.7 ± 3.7% (50%), 4.5 ± 1.3% (75%), and 5.2 ± 1.3% (100%). Progressive velocity was 93.5 ± 8.3 μm s–1 (25%), 85.4 ± 8.1 μm s–1 (50%), 65.7 ± 6.1 μm s–1 (75%), 35.2 ± 3.3 μm s–1 (100%). Motility of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa significantly decreased with increasing concentrations of trehalose in the extender (P < 0.05). These preliminary studies showed that further research is needed of use trehalose for ram spermatozoa cryoconservation.

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