High percentage of abnormal semen parameters in a prevasectomy population

Abstract

To evaluate semen characteristics, testicular volume, and hormonal levels of normal fertile men requiring vasectomy for sterilization. Retrospective study. Academic medical centers. A total of 889 patients underwent a vasectomy for sterilization. None. Semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology according to the World Health Organization (WHO); complex motion parameters evaluated by computer-assisted semen analyzer; FSH, LH, and T levels; and both testicular volumes. When compared with the WHO values, 87.2% of the patients presented normal sperm morphology below the normal level. The other semen parameters (semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, and sperm motility) differed from the WHO parameters in 6%-32.2% of patients. Semen volume and sperm concentration presented a progressive increase according to the duration of sexual abstinence. However, patients with 5 days or more of abstinence had a decrease in sperm motility. Mean testicular size had the strongest correlation with serum FSH levels, total sperm count, and sperm concentration. Low sperm motility and morphology were found in men who request a vasectomy for sterilization. Semen volume and sperm concentration present a progressive increase and sperm motility a decrease according to the duration of sexual abstinence. Sperm concentration had stronger correlations with testicular size than did sperm quality. Therefore, the WHO normal values need to be reconsidered.