Semen quality and fertility rates in Taipei city

Abstract

Background: Although female factors are the major focus of attention for infertility, male factors are responsible for approximately 40% of infertility problems. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate male infertility in Taiwan, establish a database of semen quality, and explore associations between semen quality and infertility. Methods: Results of semen tests of males who were examined at Zhongxiao Branch, Taipei City Hospital, between January 2008 and July 2015 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. All examination procedures and processing of human semen were performed according to the World Health Organization laboratory manual. Total semen volume and the concentration, motility, and morphology of sperm were evaluated and recorded. Pearson's correlation was used to explore associations between age and all semen parameters. Results: Significant differences were found in sperm concentration between the examined years (P = 0.011). Bonferroni post hoc analysis showed that the sperm concentration in 2012 decreased significantly (P = 0.026) compared to data of 2014. Age was significantly associated with sperm motility and morphology (P