Semen analysis

About: Semen analysis is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4909 publications have been published within this topic receiving 143225 citations.

Sperm concentration and normal sperm morphology decrease and follicle‐stimulating hormone level increases with age

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To assess hormone levels, testicular volume, and semen characteristics of fertile men of various age groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS The records of 889 men who sought a vasectomy between September 1999 and March 2003 were reviewed. Patients were divided into five groups by age; we evaluated semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, morphology and complex sperm motion variables. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone levels and both testicular volumes were compared. RESULTS There were no differences among the groups in the levels of LH, testosterone, or right and left testicular volumes. There were differences among the five groups in FSH levels, semen volume, sperm concentration and motility. Normal morphology according to the World Health Organisation criteria was significantly lower in patients aged >45 years. From a linear regression analysis, semen volume, sperm concentration and motility decreased by 0.01 mL, 2.1%, and 0.27%, respectively, per year, and the FSH level increased by 0.27%. CONCLUSIONS Sperm concentration and motility decrease and FSH levels increase with age. Normal sperm morphology decreases from 45 years old. Thus, the ageing effect should be considered when proposing standard values for semen characteristics in routine semen analysis.

Selenium Supplementation Does Not Affect Testicular Selenium Status or Semen Quality in North American Men

Abstract: Selenium (Se) is essential for sperm function and male fertility, but high Se intake has been associated with impaired semen quality. We reported previously a decrease in sperm motility in men fed high-Se foods, but we could not rule out the influence of other environmental and dietary factors. We now report on a randomized, controlled study on the potential adverse effects of Se supplementation on semen quality in 42 free-living men administered Se (300 microg/d) as high-Se yeast for 48 weeks. Semen analysis was performed 4 times before treatment began, then twice each week during treatment at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks, and then after treatment at 72 and 96 weeks. Blood samples were collected 3 times before treatment and at each subsequent visit. Se concentration increased 61% in blood plasma and 49% in seminal plasma. However, Se supplementation had no effect on sperm Se, serum androgen concentrations, or sperm count, motility, progressive velocity, or morphology. We observed progressive decreases in serum luteinizing hormone, semen volume, and sperm Se in both the high-Se and placebo groups. Moreover, sperm straight-line velocity and percent normal morphology increased in Se-treated and placebo-treated participants. The lack of an increase in sperm Se suggests that testicular Se stores were unaffected, even though the participants' dietary Se intake was tripled and their total body Se approximately doubled by supplementation. These results are consistent with animal studies showing the Se status of testes to be unresponsive to dietary Se intake.

Sperm telomere length as a parameter of sperm quality in normozoospermic men

Abstract: Study question Could sperm telomere length (STL) represent a novel parameter and biomarker of sperm quality? Summary answer STL is associated with standard semen quality parameters and, more importantly, it is significantly associated with levels of DNA fragmentation and sperm protamination. What is known already Telomeres are fundamental for genome integrity. Recent studies have demonstrated that STL increases with age and men with oligozoospermia have shorter sperm telomeres than normozoospermic men. Study design, size, duration Cohort study conducted from September 2014 to June 2015 on 100 subjects with normal standard semen parameters. Participants/materials, setting, methods STL was measured indirectly by quantitative polymerase chain reaction using telomere/single-copy gene ratio, sperm DNA fragmentation by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay and protamination by aniline blue staining. Data were analyzed for determining the relationships between STL, standard semen parameters and DNA fragmentation and protamination. Main results and the role of chance Among standard semen parameters, STL was positively associated with progressive motility (P = 0.004) and vitality (P = 0.007). STL was significantly and negatively associated with sperm DNA fragmentation (P = 0.001) and significantly and positively associated with protamination (P = 0.002). The role of chance was limited and the findings have biological relevance and a pathophysiological explanation. Limitations, reasons for caution For the present study, we deliberately selected only men with normozoospermia to better analyze whether STL might represent a biomarker of sperm quality beyond traditional sperm parameters. Additional studies in proven fertile men with normal sperm parameters are needed. Wider implications of the findings The measurement of STL is a simple and rapid method that offers further information about the quality of sperm. The results of this study demonstrate that STL could be considered as an additional sperm parameter and opens new perspectives in the evaluation of the infertile male. Additional studies will clarify the significance of this parameter also as a prognostic biomarker in assisted reproduction. Study funding/competing interests No external funding was either sought or obtained for this study. There are no conflicts of interest to be declared.

Relation between sperm count and semen volume, and pregnancies obtained during a twenty‐year follow‐up period

Abstract: The clinical fertility of 1077 men investigated with sperm analysis including sperm count and semen volume during the years 1950-52 was studied 20 years later using a questionnaire, replied by 785 (72.9%). There was a significant correlation (P less than 0.01) between sperm count and number of living children, but no relation to abortions and pathological pregnancies. Furthermore, sperm count was correlated (P less than 0.01) to time interval from wish of pregnancy to pregnancy obtained. Of 53 men with sperm count less than or equal to 5 mill/ml 22.6% obtained living children compared with 52.2-63.1% living children in 730 men with sperm count greater than 5 mill/ml. Sperm count is concluded to be proper for fertility classification, and sperm count 5 mill/ml is found to be the clinically significant borderline of male infertility. There was no relation between semen volume and pregnancies obtained, however, there was a statistical relation (P less than 0.01) to time interval to pregnancy obtained. Semen volume is concluded not to be suited for fertility classification.

Aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation in morphologically abnormal sperm

Abstract: In light of the relative success of ICSI in the treatment of male infertility, much importance has been made to the selection of morphologically viable sperm. However, correlation between specific sperm morphology and chromosomal abnormalities is still relatively limited and less is known about the connection between sperm morphology and DNA integrity. Sperm obtained from isolated teratozoospermic men (n = 10) and control men (n = 9) were analysed using FISH (for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y) and TUNEL assays to determine the level of aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation. Sperm morphology was evaluated on its ability to identify the level of chromosomal abnormalities or fragmented DNA in sperm. Sperm from teratozoospermic men, compared with fertile men, had higher rates of total chromosomal abnormality (p < 0.05), total aneuploidy (p < 0.01) and chromosome 13 disomy (p < 0.01). Associations between particular types of sperm morphology and chromosomal abnormalities were observed in both control (tapered heads) and teratozoospermic (amorphous heads and tail abnormalities) samples. Levels of DNA fragmented sperm were higher in teratozoospermic men than in the control men (60.28 +/- 21.40% vs. 32.40 +/- 17.20%, p < 0.05) and positively correlated to sperm with bent necks in control samples and round heads in teratozoospermic samples (p < 0.05). Sperm of isolated teratozoospermic men have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities and DNA fragmentation than that of the fertile controls. Specific abnormal sperm morphology can be correlated to chromosomal abnormalities and level of DNA fragmentation in sperm.