Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to provide information on the semen quality pattern of infertile men and age thresholds for semen parameters in China.MethodsThis was a retrospective cross-sectional study investigating 71,623 infertile men from the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC Xiangya in Hunan, China, from 2011 to 2017. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Kendall test, linear regression model and joinpoint regression were used.ResultsAlthough erratic changes were observed in the median semen parameters (sperm concentration 40.1–52.1 × 106/ml, total sperm count 117.8–153.1 × 106, sperm progressive motility 33.4–38.1%) during the 7 years of observation, no significant decrease in semen quality was found, and 47.88% of infertile men showed normal semen parameters according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. According to the joinpoint regression analysis, sperm progressive motility appeared to decrease earlier than the sperm concentration and total sperm count (at 28, 58, and 42 years of age, respectively).ConclusionsThere is no evidence of a deterioration in semen quality among infertile men in Hunan, China. Semen parameters decreased with increasing age, with turning points noted at different ages. Semen parameters are not absolute evidence for the assessment of male fertility potential. Therefore, we believe that, among semen parameters, the sperm concentration is the best predictor of fertility for ART, followed by motility. Decreased sperm motility may affect natural pregnancy, but it is not necessary for successful IVF.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to provide information on the semen quality pattern of infertile men and age thresholds for semen parameters in China
It has been suggested that low semen quality may be a potential contributing factor in reducing fertility rates and increasing number of children born after use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) [1, 2]
We reviewed the semen analysis database of infertile men, including men who failed to conceive a child over a period of ≥12 months, who visited the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITICXiangya, China, from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2017
Summary
The aim of this study was to provide information on the semen quality pattern of infertile men and age thresholds for semen parameters in China. Semen quality is a very important factor that reflects male reproductive health. It has been suggested that low semen quality may be a potential contributing factor in reducing fertility rates and increasing number of children born after use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) [1, 2]. No large-scale studies, conducted by a single laboratory, of semen quality of the infertile population in China have been published to date. The present study aimed to define a semen quality pattern in infertile men and forge a consensus on age thresholds for semen parameters in China to direct fertility treatment and thereby increase the likelihood of conception
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