Semen analysis

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

The effect of cigarette smoking on human seminal parameters, sperm chromatin structure and condensation.

Abstract: Summary Considerable debate still exists regarding the effects of cigarette smoking on male fertility. This work aimed to explore effects of cigarette smoking on semen parameters and DNA fragmentation on 95 infertile patients who were divided into infertile male nonsmokers (45) and infertile male smokers (50). Smokers were subdivided according to a number of cigarettes smoked per day into mild (≤10), moderate (11-20) and heavy smokers (≥21). Semen analysis, sperm chromatin condensation integrity with aniline blue staining and sperm viability were compared between the study groups. A significant decrease has been shown in sperm count (p = .006), progressive motility (p = <.001), percentage of normal forms (p = <.001) and viability (p = .002) between infertile nonsmoker and infertile smokers. The percentage of abnormal sperm chromatin condensation was significantly higher in smokers compared to nonsmokers (p = <.001). A linear correlation was detected between the extent of cigarette smoking and the degree of worsening in progressive motility (p = .001), total motility (p < .001), viability (p < .001) and normal morphology (p < .001). These results indicate that cigarette smoking has detrimental effects on semen parameters. It negatively affected all conventional semen parameters in addition to sperm chromatin condensation and sperm viability. These abnormalities were also proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day and to the duration of smoking.

Semen analysis in Hodgkin's disease before the onset of treatment

Abstract: A spermogram was performed before treatment in 57 young patients with Hodgkin's disease. The mean results were normal, and similar to those reported in fertile populations. Nineteen patients had an abnormal spermogram; 12 of these men had had fever recently or were febrile at the time of the exam. When the temperature was below 38.5 degrees C, there was only asthenospermia. With a higher temperature, semen anomalies were more severe, with oligoasthenospermia or even azoospermia. Only five febrile men had a normal spermogram, and all had slight fevers. Therefore, semen anomalies noted in about one third of patients with Hodgkin's disease are probably not due to a disease specific gonadal alteration, but can be attributed to fever which gonadal effects have been recognized for a long time and are well-documented.

Effect of leukocytospermia and processing by discontinuous density gradient on sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial activity

Abstract: Purpose To assess the effect of leukocytospermia and semen processing on sperm DNA and mitochondria.

Semen analysis in 21st century medicine: the need for sperm function testing

Abstract: Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology (ART), has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. Indeed, the most recent addition of the 'World Health Organisation (WHO) Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen' now groups many of these procedures into a section termed Research Procedures. In large part, this reflects the current clinical practice of bypassing the in-depth evaluation of the male partner, while assuming that if a spermatozoon can be found for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), it must be a healthy cell capable of achieving fertilization. Nevertheless, sperm function testing can provide valuable clinical insights into defects causing male infertility. Admittedly, in some cases, functional sperm deficiencies can be overcome using an ART. In other cases, couples will be empowered by the knowledge of the cause of their infertility, and for some couples, perhaps even the likelihood of ICSI success (relative to the spermatozoa). The knowledge allows them to make truly informed reproductive decisions, including (perhaps) the decision to seek donor insemination, to adopt or to remain childless. Knowledge of the cause of their infertility may provide closure for couples and a sense of confidence regarding their choice of reproductive treatment.

Semen quality in Peruvian pesticide applicators: association between urinary organophosphate metabolites and semen parameters.

Abstract: Organophosphates are broad class of chemicals widely used as pesticides throughout the world. We performed a cross-sectional study of associations between dialkylphosphate metabolites of organophosphates and semen quality among pesticide applicators in Majes (Arequipa), Peru. Thirty-one men exposed to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and 31 non-exposed were recruited (age, 20–60 years). In exposed subjects, semen and a blood sample were obtained one day after the last pesticide application. Subjects were grouped according to levels of OP metabolites in urine. Semen samples were analyzed for sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility, percentage of normal morphology, semen leucocytes and concentrations of fructose and zinc. Exposure to OP was assessed by measuring six urinary OP metabolites (dimethyl and diethyl phosphates and thiophosphates) by gas chromatography using a single flame photometric detector. Diethyldithiophosphate (p = 0.04) and diethylthiophosphate (p = 0.02) better reflected occupational pesticide exposure than other OP metabolites. Semen analysis revealed a significant reduction of semen volume and an increase in semen pH in men with OP metabolites. Multiple regression analysis showed that both occupational exposure to pesticides and the time of exposure to pesticides were more closely related to alterations in semen quality parameters than the single measurement of OP metabolites in urine. The study demonstrated that occupational exposure to OP pesticides was more closely related to alterations in semen quality than a single measurement of urine OP metabolites. Current measurement of OP metabolites in urine may not reflect the full risk.