Within-subject variation of seminal parameters in men with infertile marriages

As little information exists on the semen variability in infertile men, this study aimed at analysing the within-subject variability of semen from men with infertile marriages included in an intrauterine insemination (IUI) programme. Five ejaculates from each of 436 men (2180 specimens) were analysed. The within-subject coefficients of variation (CV(w)) were high for all parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, forward motility and combined parameters), ranging from 0.73 for the total motile sperm count to 0.27 for the semen volume. Nevertheless, within-subject fluctuations were smaller than the between-subject variability, as indicated by high Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values, which, however, significantly lowered when 相似文献   

Semen quality changes among 2343 healthy Slovenian men included in an IVF-ET programme from 1983 to 1996

To determine whether semen quality in Slovenians has changed over 14 years (1983-96), we analysed retrospectively the semen of 2343 healthy men with a normal spermiogram, who were partners of women with tubal infertility included in the IVF-ET programme. Age at semen collection, duration of sexual abstinence, semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility, and normal morphology were determined. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the changes in sperm characteristics according to the year of semen collection, year of the man's birth and the duration of sexual abstinence. Semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm count and total sperm motility did not change between 1983 and 1996, whereas between 1988 and 1996 rapid progressive sperm motility decreased by 0.95% per year (p < 0.0001). Semen volume, sperm concentration, and sperm count increased with duration of sexual abstinence. After adjustment for the year of semen collection and duration of sexual abstinence, multiple regression analysis showed that sperm concentration decreased by 0.67% per each successive year of birth (p = 0.03). Thus the sperm concentration decreased from 87.6 x 10(6)/mL in men born in the 1940s to 77.3 x 10(6)/mL in those born between 1956 and 1960. After 1960, sperm concentration was found to increase. In 2343 healthy men, no decline in semen quality, except in rapid progressive motility, was observed in the study period. Lower sperm concentration was found among men born between 1950 and 1960. This could be related to worse socio-economic status, stress or negative environmental factors in this time period.     

精浆尿酸的检测及其与精液参数的相关性研究

目的:建立精浆尿酸(UA)的检测方法并探讨精浆UA水平与精液参数的相关性。方法:根据检测血清UA的方法加以改良建立检测精浆UA的方法,并观察批内变异和不同技术人员检测结果之间的差异以评价方法的可接受性。同时分析138例男性精浆UA水平与患者年龄、禁欲时间、精液量、pH、精子密度、活动率、a+b级精子百分率和正常形态精子百分率之间的相关性。结果:精浆UA检测方法的批内变异为9.16%,2位技术人员的检测结果没有显著性差异(P=0.541)。精浆UA水平与正常形态精子百分率呈正相关(r=0.350,P=0.025),与精子活动率和a+b级精子百分率有呈正相关的趋势(r=0.147和0.156,P=0.085和0.068),而与精液分析其他参数如精液量、pH、精子密度、禁欲时间以及患者年龄等无相关性。结论:通过对血清UA检测方法加以改良可以建立可接受的精浆UA检测方法。精子形态学、活动率及a+b级精子百分率可能与精浆UA水平高低有关。     

Between and within Subject Correlations and Variances for Certain Semen Characteristics in Fertile Men

Between subject and within subject variances and correlations for different semen characteristics have been determined for a population of 315 fertile men who provided one or more ejaculates within an abstinence period of 1 to 5 days. The semen characteristics measured were sperm count, semen volume, pre-freeze motility and post-thaw motility. An approach via a decomposition of the variance or via a decomposition of correlation leads essentially to the same conclusions i.e. the within subject factors are not negligible but are less important than the between subject ones. Thus there is broad evidence for overall differences in the quality of the ejaculate from one subject to the other but not for different ejaculates of the same subject.     

精液参数与射精频率的关系

通过对２０名性功能正常的男子（１０例精液正常，１０例少弱精症）连续１周，每天采集精液标本进行观察，探讨了他们的精液参数与射精频率之间的关系。结果表明，正常组的精液容积、１次射精的精子总数逐日下降，于第５天降至原水平５０％左右，以后维持在该水平上下波动，而精子密度并不下降；少弱精组精液容积、精子密度及１次射精的精子总数均显著下降。精子活力和形态在两组中都相对变化不大。     

精浆酸性磷酸酶和γ-L-谷氨酰转肽酶检测的比较及其与精液参数的相关性研究

目的:对精浆酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和γ-L-谷氨酰转肽酶(γ-GT)活性检测进行比较,并分析ACP和γ-GT活性与精液参数的相关性。方法:133例精浆标本,分别检测ACP活性和γ-GT活性。随机留取2例精浆标本,1例用于ACP批内检测,另1例用于γ-GT批内检测。随机留取4例标本,2例用于ACP批间检测,另2例用于γ-GT批间检测。用计算机辅助的精液分析(CASA)系统分析精液标本的精液量、pH、精子密度、活动率、a+b级活动精子百分率等参数。同时分析ACP和γ-GT活性与精液参数的相关性。结果:精浆ACP活性和γ-GT活性呈显著性正相关(r=0.570,P=0.000)。ACP的批内变异系数(CV)为13.72%,批间CV分别为13.80%和15.49%。γ-GT批内CV为7.68%,批间CV分别为7.76%和9.73%。精浆ACP活性和γ-GT活性均与pH值呈显著负相关(r=-0.330,P=0.000;r=-0.388,P=0.000)。γ-GT活性与精子密度呈显著正相关(r=0.165,P=0.045),而ACP活性与精子密度无显著相关(r=0.048,P=0.546)。ACP活性和γ-GT活性均与精子活动率、(a+b)级活动精子百分率、精液量、禁欲时间以及年龄无显著相关性。结论:精浆γ-GT活性检测的精确性高于ACP活性检测,两者与精液参数的相关性基本类似。提示精浆γ-GT活性检测比ACP活性检测更适合用来评价前列腺功能。     

Concentration of prostaglandins in seminal fluid of fertile men

Semen samples from 31 men, all of whom had fathered a child within the preceding year, were analysed for sperm characteristics and for the content of prostaglandins (PGs). Mean concentrations (mg/l) for the four main groups of PGs were 67.1 for PGE, 3.2 for PGF, 245.7 for 19-hydroxy-PGE and 13.3 for 19-hydroxy-PGF. The individual values were distributed over a relatively wide range but the extremely wide ranges reported by previous authors were not confirmed. Information is also presented concerning the relative proportions of the four isomers of PGF, as well as those of 19-hydroxy-PGF. Only sperm density was related to PG concentration in fertile men. Polyzoospermia was associated with a low PGE concentration.     

Relationship between age and semen parameters in men with normal sperm concentration: analysis of 6022 semen samples

This study evaluates retrospectively the relationship between age and semen parameters among men with normal sperm concentration. It was based on computerized data and performed in an Academic Fertility and IVF Unit. Six thousand and twenty-two semen samples with sperm concentrations of >or=20 x 10(6) ml(-1) were examined according to WHO criteria and analysed in relation to patients' age. For each age group, mean values +/- SD of semen volume, sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa, normal morphology, acrosome index, total sperm count/ejaculate, total motile sperm count/ejaculate and sexual abstinence duration were examined. A peak semen volume of 3.51 +/- 1.76 ml(-1) was observed at age >or=30 to <35 years and a lowest volume of 2.21 +/- 1.23 ml(-1) was observed at age >or=55 years (P<0.05). Sperm motility was found to be inversely related to age with peak motility of 44.39 +/- 20.69% at age <25 years and lowest motility of 24.76 +/- 18.27% at age >or=55 years (P<0.05). A reduction of 54% was observed for total motile sperm, between values of 103.34 +/- 107 x 10(6) at age >or=30 to <35 years and 46.68 +/- 53.73 x 10(6) (P<0.05) at age >55 years. A statistically significant and inverse relationship was observed between semen volume, sperm quality and patient age, in spite of prolonged sexual abstinence duration. Top sperm parameters were observed at age >or=30 to <35 years, while the most significant reduction in sperm parameters occurred after the age of 55 years.     

捐精者精子冷冻复苏率影响因素分析

目的:探讨季节、血型及精液参数等对捐精者精子冷冻复苏率的影响。方法:回顾性分析陕西省人类精子库捐精者4 088份精液标本,研究季节、血型、禁欲时间、精液量、精子形态、冷冻前精子活力及浓度对精子冷冻复苏率的影响。结果:捐精者精子冷冻复苏率随着精子浓度增高而增加,相关性分析提示精子浓度与冷冻复苏率呈正相关(r=0.247,P0.01)。而精子冷冻前活力和精子冷冻复苏率呈负相关(r=-0.262,P0.01)。禁欲第6天组的精子冷冻复苏率[(70.2±5.4)%]明显高于其他禁欲时间组(P0.01)。精子正常形态率20%组的精子冷冻复苏率[(71.4±5.1)%]要高于其他各组(P0.01)。A型血精子冷冻复苏率明显高于B型血[(69.1±4.8)%vs(69.8±4.7)%,P0.01];季节、精液量与精子冷冻复苏率之间无明显相关性(P0.05)。结论:捐精者的精子浓度、活力、形态及禁欲时间对于预测精子冷冻复苏率有一定的价值,而季节、血型、精液量与捐精者精子冷冻复苏率无明显相关性。     

Does exposure to computers affect the routine parameters of semen quality？

Aim： To assess whether exposure to computers harms the semen quality of healthy young men. Methods： A total of 178 subjects were recruited from two maternity and children healthcare centers in Shanghai, 91 with a history of exposure to computers （i.e., exposure for 20 h or more per week in the last 2 years） and 87 persons to act as control （no or little exposure to computers）. Data on the history of exposure to computers and other characteristics were obtained by means of a structured questionnaire interview. Semen samples were collected by masturbation in the place where the semen samples were analyzed. Results： No differences in the distribution of the semen parameters （semen volume, sperm density, percentage of progressive sperm, sperm viability and percentage of normal form sperm） were found between the exposed group and the control group. Exposure to computers was not found to be a risk factor for inferior semen quality after adjusting for potential confounders, including abstinence days, testicle size, occupation, history of exposure to toxic substances. Conclusion： The present study did not find that healthy： men exposed to computers had inferior semen quality. （Asian J Andro12005 Sep; 7： 263-266）     

Study of a group of 484 fertile men Part I: Distribution of semen characteristics

The semen characteristics studied were the sperm count, semen volume, morphology and pre-freeze and post-thaw motility. Two categories of fertile men were investigated: semen donor candidates for artificial insemination and pre-vasectomy subjects. Since mean values for each variable in the two series were similar, they could be considered as a single group of 484 fertile men. Only those subjects whose ejaculates were obtained after an abstinence of 5 days or less were retained. The distribution, mean and percentiles were determined for each variable. The 10th and 90th percentiles for sperm count, percentage of motile forms and percentage of normal cells were respectively 25 and 180 million per ml, 60% and 80% and 50% and 75% The three variables, sperm count, semen volume and total number of spermatozoa which were dependent on abstinence were analysed in the same manner for 3 days of abstinence. The group studied seemed to be as representative and as well defined as possible.     

Cross-sectional study of semen parameters in a large group of normal Chinese men

Testicular size, semen characteristics and serum reproductive hormone levels were studied in 1239 normal Chinese men. The mean testicular size of 17 ml in this group of subjects was similar to other reports in Orientals but was smaller than that reported in Caucasians. Semen volume, and the sperm count, motility and morphology were comparable to those described for Caucasian subjects. The cervical mucus penetration test (Kremer's test) and the zona-free hamster egg penetration test were also studied in some of the subjects. Age showed a positive correlation with the serum levels of FSH and LH, which were highly correlated with each other. Sperm concentration and the total sperm count were positively correlated with testicular volume, the length of abstinence, the % of sperm with an oval head, and the zona-free hamster egg penetration test, but were negatively correlated with serum FSH. Sperm motility was negatively correlated with the duration of abstinence but was positively correlated with the % normal sperm. The results constitute a normal data base from Chinese men for comparison with studies in male infertility and fertility regulation.     

Study of a group of 484 fertile men Part II: Relation between age (20–59) and semen characteristics

Commonly measured semen variables as well as post-thaw motility have been studied as a function of age in fertile men. The mean age was 34.6 (so = 6.6). No significant change with age was found for the sperm count, semen volume or total number of spermatozoa. Conversely, there were significant differences between age groups for the percentage of normal cells ( P < 0.01) and the percentage of motile forms ( P < 0.01) as well as for the after-thaw motility ( P < 0.001). These three variables rise, reach a maximum level at 30 to 35 years of age and then decrease. These changes are not explained by variations in the length of abstinence.     

Secular and seasonal changes in semen quality among young Danish men: a statistical analysis of semen samples from 1927 donor candidates during 1977-1995

The objective of this study was to investigate whether semen quality has changed during the years 1977-1995 in a group of unselected semen donor candidates, and to determine whether semen quality is subject to seasonal variation, by analysis of time- and season-related changes in semen quality using multiple regression and ANOVA. The study was based on analysis of the first semen sample delivered by 1927 semen donor candidates in Copenhagen during the period 1977-1995, with determination of semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, percentage motile spermatozoa, and a semiquantitative sperm motility score. Multiple linear regression analysis with year, sexual abstinence and season as covariates showed a significant increase in mean sperm concentration from 53.0 x 10(6)/mL in 1977 to 72.7 x 10(6)/mL in 1995 (p < 0.0001) and in mean total sperm count from 166.0 x 10(6) to 227.6 x 10(6) (p < 0.0001). Mean semen volume and percentage motile spermatozoa did not change. Sperm motility deteriorated, as the spermatozoa in 74.2% of the samples were of excellent motility in 1977-1980 compared to only 41.9% in 1993-1995 (chi 2 = 130.0, p < 0.0001). Analysis of variance showed significant variation between seasons regarding sperm concentration (p < 0.0001) and total sperm count (p < 0.0001). Highest sperm counts were found in spring, with a mean concentration (95% C.I.) of 77.6 x 10(6)/mL (71.9-83.7), and lowest in summer, with a mean of 57.5 x 10(6)/mL (50.1-65.4). No other semen parameter varied with season. It is concluded that sperm counts increased, whereas sperm motility decreased, in a group of Danish semen donor candidates, from 1977 to 1995. Due to the retrospective design and the anonymity of the donors, we were unable to control for variation in donor age, and we cannot exclude the possibility that some donor candidates were selected by being accepted as donors by other semen donor services in Copenhagen. With these limitations in mind, we suggest our results should be interpreted cautiously and regarded as a contribution to the ongoing dispute on whether or not there is a continuous decrease in sperm quality. The seasonal variations found in sperm concentration and total sperm count were pronounced and were not attributable to seasonal differences in the length of sexual abstinence. Additionally, the same seasonal pattern was observed in five successive year-intervals. These findings strongly indicate that human testicular function is influenced by season, a phenomenon well known in many lower mammals.     

Factors affecting the variability of semen analysis results in infertile men

Infertile men who had 3 or more semen analyses performed in one laboratory were placed in 2 groups (I) oligozoospermic group (n = 106), mean sperm concentration between 1 and 20 million/ml (II) asthenozoospermic group (n = 71), mean sperm concentration greater than 20 million/ml, and mean motility less than 60%. With increasing durations of abstinece from ejaculation before the tests there were significant increases in semen volume and sperm concentration. Semen volume increased over the first 4 days to a similar extent in both groups. Sperm concentrations increased over 15 days, but the effect of abstinence was much greater in the asthenozoospermic group than in the oligozoospermic group (14% compared with 1.4% of the within subject variation). Significant changes in results accompanied repeated testing, notably rises in sperm concentration and motility. Sperm motility was lower in winter and higher in summer in both groups and also, but to a lesser extent, in artificial insemination donors who collected semen in the laboratory.     

男性年龄与精子顶体酶活性及精子DNA碎片指数的相关性分析

目的探讨男性年龄与精子顶体酶活性、精子DNA碎片指数(DFI)的相关性。方法选取2016年1~8月在我院生殖医学中心就诊的436例不育症男性患者为研究对象,所有患者均行精液常规检查、精子顶体酶活性检查和(或)精子DFI分析。将患者按年龄分为<30岁、30~39岁、≥40岁3组,分析各组的精液常规、顶体酶活性及精子核DFI的差异及其相关性。结果不同年龄段患者的体重指数(BMI)、禁欲天数、精液量无显著性差异(P>0.05);年龄≥40岁组患者的前向运动精子百分率、活动精子百分率及精子顶体酶活性显著低于<30岁和30~39岁组(P<0.05);≥40岁组患者的精子DFI显著高于<30岁和30~39岁组(P<0.05)。年龄与前向运动精子百分率及活动精子百分率之间呈负相关(P<0.05),但是相关性较弱。精子顶体酶活性与精子正常形态率、前向运动精子百分率、非前向运动精子百分率、活动精子百分率呈正相关(P<0.05);精子DFI与年龄、禁欲天数、前向运动精子百分率呈正相关(P<0.01),与精液量、精子浓度、活动精子百分率呈负相关(P<0.05);精子顶体酶活性和DFI之间无相关性(P>0.05)。结论年龄增长会导致精液前向运动精子百分率、活动精子百分率、精子顶体酶活性、DFI等参数改变,直接或间接影响男性生育力。说明年龄对男性不育的影响是多方面的,建议有生育需求的大龄(≥40岁)男性尽早进行生育咨询与评估。     

Seminal factor VII and factor VIIa: supporting evidence for the presence of an active tissue factor-dependent coagulation pathway in human semen

Human semen spontaneously coagulates into a semisolid mass and then wholly liquefies in a process that may have some similarity to that of normal blood. This well described phenomenon is referred to as coagulation and liquefaction of semen. Besides other active components of the haemostatic system, semen contains a significant amount of functional tissue factor (TF). However, TF needs factor (F)VII in order to exert it actions. In this study, we assessed human semen for the presence of FVII and FVIIa, and related their levels to conventional fertility parameters. Using a functional, one stage, clotting assay based upon the prolongation of the prothrombin clotting time, using the ACL 300R analyser and an Imubind FVIIa ELISA assay, FVII and FVIIa levels were measured in 97 semen specimens obtained from sub-fertile (sperm counts <20 x 10(6)/mL), normally fertile (sperm counts >or=20 x 10(6) but <60 x 10(6)/mL), fertile sperm donors (sperm counts >or=60 x 10(6)/mL), vasectomized subjects and in a pooled normal semen parameters group (categorization into groups was based on the World Health Organization guidelines on fertility criteria). In addition, conventional semen parameters were analysed on all semen samples. Both FVII and FVIIa were quantifiable in human semen. The mean levels of FVII and FVIIa were 4.4 IU/dL and 12 ng/mL respectively. Despite the observed variations of FVIIa levels in the studied groups they did not meet statistical significance when the groups were tested against each other. However, seminal FVIIa levels showed a significant positive association with semen liquefaction time, sperm motility and semen volume. The anti-sperm antibodies and sperm-agglutination groups were also associated with raised seminal FVIIa levels. We observed no significant relationship between FVIIa levels and total sperm concentration, sperm count per mL (sperm density), sperm progression and days of sexual abstinence. This study demonstrates that human semen contains appreciable amounts of FVII and FVIIa. It is possible to quantify these using commercially available assays. There also appears to be a direct correlation between the levels of these factors and certain seminal parameters. This finding reinforces the concept of an active clotting system in human semen, by establishing the missing link in the activation of a TF-dependent pathway.     

Cigarette smoking is related to a decrease in semen volume in a population of fertile men

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the semen quality and hormonal levels in fertile men according to their level of cigarette smoking. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 889 fertile men who came for a vasectomy for sterilization purposes. The men included 522 non-smokers, 143 mild smokers (<10 cigarettes/day), 154 moderate smokers (11-20/day), and 70 heavy smokers (>20/day). We evaluated sperm concentration, motility, motion variables and hormonal levels in these men. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups in sperm concentration or motility, or in levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, or serum total testosterone. Also, sperm motion characteristics did not differ across the groups. Semen volume was the only semen variable which tended to decrease according to the number of cigarettes smoked. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking had no apparent effect on sperm concentration, motility or reproductive hormonal levels, but tended to reduce semen volume.     

Makler精子计算盘的应用及其临床意义

作者应用Ｍａｋｌｅｒ精子计算盘对精液有关参数进行了实验研究与临床应用。报道了１００例正常生育男性的精子密度与活动率分别为（６６．３５±２０．０９）×１０￣９／Ｌ和５８．６４±１８．３２％。３０例自愿者正常精液春、夏、秋、冬四季精子运动的平均速度依次为２４．６、３０．９、３１．２和２３．５μｍ／ｓ。指出了禁欲时间和不同生育年龄对精子运动速度与运动方式没有影响。同时还报道了解脲支原体感染不仅可降低精子的运动速度，而且还改变其运动方式。作者认为Ｍａｋｌｅｒ精子计算盘是有应用价值的精液分析工具，值得推广使用。     

Effect of pre-freezing conditions on the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa

We evaluated the effects of sperm concentration, progressive motility, sperm morphology, duration of abstinence and collection season on the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa to identify characteristics that predict the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa and improve the protocol for sperm collecting in sperm banks. A total of 14 190 semen samples donated at Zhejiang human sperm bank of China between September 2006 and June 2011 were collected from 1624 donors. Semen was evaluated according to WHO standard procedures for sperm concentration. Progressive motility, sperm morphology, ejaculate collection season and abstinence time were recorded. After freezing and thawing, the progressive motility was assessed. Results showed that sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology were significantly associated with the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa. In addition, the abstinence time and collection season also significantly affected progressive motility recovery rate. Our results indicated that sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology could be valuable in predicting the progressive motility recovery rate of human frozen spermatozoa. As such, progressive motility recovery may be improved by donating semen when abstinent for 3–5 days and during seasons other than summer.