Abstract
Background: With the accumulating evidence of semen difference between distinct populations we decided to conduct a population-based prospective study to assess the reproductive capabilities of the Bulgarian males. Objective: To evaluate the semen parameters in men from the general population of Bulgaria. To analyze the effects of BMI (Body mass index) and tobacco smoking on semen characteristics. Methods: 482 males without history of reproductive problems were included for the purpose of this study. The duration of our study was from April to May in 2016 and April in 2017. The volunteers were subdivided based on their smoking status and on their BMI. After semen collection, a conventional semen analysis was carried out manually by trained embryologists in an andrology laboratory according to WHO recommendations. The results were statistically analyzed and presented with their mean values. Result(s): After semen analysis we report a mean of 3.29 ml for semen volume, 40.68 × 106/ml for spermatozoa concentration, 128.38 × 106 for total sperm count, 52.54% of total motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate and a mean percentage of morphologically normal sperm standing at 9.6%. We did not find a negative effect of tobacco smoking on semen quality; however higher BMI is associated with lower sperm concentration per ml. Discussion and Conclusion(s): This is the first contemporary study, assessing semen quality in Bulgarians. The results obtained here show the lower quality of semen in Bulgaria, compared to other countries. No statistical differences were found between the semen quality of nonsmokers and smokers. Higher BMI was found to be associated with lower sperm concentration per milliliter.
Highlights
It is a well-known fact that fertility decreases with the increase in age in both men and women
We did not find a negative effect of tobacco smoking on semen quality; higher BMI is associated with lower sperm concentration per ml
In order to analyze the effects of tobacco smoking and BMI on the semen parameters the participants were subdivided based on their smoking status and BMI
Summary
It is a well-known fact that fertility decreases with the increase in age in both men and women. Since the advent of assisted reproductive technology (ART) people are becoming more and more dependent on these techniques in order to have offspring This is due to the fact that various causes of infertility can be bypassed by the use of ART; frequently the primary condition remains untreated. The cause of infertility in about 20% - 40% of infertile couples is attributed to the male partner [2]. With the accumulating evidence of semen difference between distinct populations we decided to conduct a population-based prospective study to assess the reproductive capabilities of the Bulgarian males. We did not find a negative effect of tobacco smoking on semen quality; higher BMI is associated with lower sperm concentration per ml. Higher BMI was found to be associated with lower sperm concentration per milliliter
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
