Semen analysis

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

Within-subject variability of human semen in regard to sperm count, volume, total number of spermatozoa and length of abstinence

Abstract: The within-subject variability of the semen sperm count (n), volume (v) and the total number of spermatozoa (N) was studied on 220 ejaculates from 36 normal subjects after an abstinence of 7 days or less. For each of the three variables, the within-subject standard deviation, sigma, was practically proportional to the mean, mu; the common value of the coefficient of variation sigma/mu for all subjects was very high: 0.39 for n, 0.28 for v and 0.55 for N. The 95% confidence intervals based on a single ejaculate were asymmetrical and very large, the lower and upper limits being respectively 0.5 x n and 2.3 x n; 0.7 x v and 1.8 x v; 0.4 x N and 2.9 x N. The three semen characteristics for a given subject were highly correlated with length of abstinence: for an increase in abstinence of 1 day there were mean increments of 13 x 10(6)/ml for n, 0.4 ml for v, and 87 x 10(6) for N.

Biological variation of seminal parameters in healthy subjects

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to assess the components of biological variation of seminal parameters in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty donor candidates were included in a 10-week follow-up study. Within- and between-subject biological variation, indices of individuality and heterogeneity, coefficient of reliability, critical differences, analytical goals and the lowest value observed with a <5% probability of having a true value less than the World Health Organization (1999) reference value were estimated for the following seminal parameters: concentration, total motility (WHO grades a + b + c), progressive motility (grades a + b), rapid progressive motility (grade a), sperm morphology and vitality. All analysis was performed by a single technician according to WHO 1999 guidelines for routine semen analysis. Analytical variation was assessed on different types of quality control material (frozen straws, sperm suspension, videotape, and slides) and at different (low, medium, high) quality levels. RESULTS: The analytical variation observed depended on the quality control material used and the level of semen quality. Concentration was the semen parameter with highest within- and between-subject variation, and vitality the lowest. Indices of individuality were all <0.7, and coefficients of reliability were high (0.68-0.84). The critical difference for sequential values significant at P < 0.05 for vitality, progressive motility and morphology (34.4, 49.2 and 58.0% respectively) were lower than for concentration (77.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that conventional reference values for seminal parameters have little diagnostic value because of their marked individuality, though seminal parameters can be useful for assessing differences in an individual's serial results, in particular of progressive motility, morphology and vitality.

Measurement and significance of sperm morphology

Abstract: The measurement or evaluation and clinical significance of human sperm morphology has always been and still is a controversial aspect of the semen analysis for the determination of a male's fertility potential. In this review the background of the development of the evaluation criteria for sperm morphology will be discussed. Aspects of criticism on the strict criteria definition and use of the criteria for sperm morphology evaluation will be discussed as well as possible reasons for the decline in normal sperm morphology values and how we can compromise for this phenomenon resulting in the very low normal reference value as published in the 2010 WHO manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. One of the possible solutions may be to give more attention to a limited number of abnormal sperm morphology categories and the inclusion of sperm morphology patterns. It is concluded in this review that if done correctly and with care and with strict application of existing guidelines as outlined in the 2010 WHO manual, sperm morphology measurement still has a very important role to play in the clinical evaluation of male fertility potential.

Lycopene therapy in idiopathic male infertility--a preliminary report.

Abstract: Excessive generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS) containing free oxygen radicals has beenidentified as one of the causes of maleinfertility. Lycopene is a component of humanredox defence mechanism against free radicals.It is found in high concentrations in thetestes and seminal plasma and decreased levelshave been demonstrated in men suffering frominfertility. We evaluated the effect of orallycopene therapy in men with idiopathicinfertility. Beginning March 2000, thirty menwith idiopathic non-obstructiveoligo/astheno/teratozoospermia were enrolledfor the trial. All patients were administered2000 mcg of Lycopene, twice a day for threemonths. Semen analysis was performed at threemonths and sperm concentration, motility andmorphology were evaluated. All patientscompleted the trial without any complications.Twenty patients (66%) showed an improvement insperm concentration, sixteen (53%) hadimproved motility and fourteen (46%) showedimprovement in sperm morphology. In casesshowing an improvement, the median change inconcentration was 22 million/ml, motility 25%and morphology 10%. The improvement inconcentration and motility were statisticallysignificant. Baseline sperm concentration lessthan 5 million/ml was associated with nosignificant improvement. Higher baselineconcentrations were associated with significantimprovement and resulted in six pregnancies in26 patients (23%). Oral Lycopene therapy seemsto have a role in the management of idiopathicmale infertility. Maximum improvement seems tooccur in the sperm concentration (66% cases).Patients without severe oligospermia (spermdensity >5 million/ml) may be given a trialof therapy with lycopene. However, largerrandomised controlled trials are essentialbefore definitive therapeutic guidelines can bemade.