Abstract
ObjectiveTo establish a system for evaluation of semen quality in fertile men by factor analysis (FA).MethodsThe FA method was used to analyze five sperm test indicators for fertile men (sperm pH, sperm motility, sperm progressive motility, semen density, and total sperm number) to determine the evaluation standard of semen quality. Pearson analysis was adopted for correlation testing.ResultsThe comprehensive score formula for semen quality of normal fertile men was as follows: comprehensive score of semen quality = (0.38272 F1 + 0.36359 F2 + 0.20018 F3)/94.699. Across the whole fertile population, semen quality was found to be correlated with abstinence period, age of first spermatorrhea, and frequency of intercourse. Smoking, drinking, and place of residence were correlated with semen quality in the high semen quality population. In the population with medium semen quality, only the abstinence period was associated with semen quality.ConclusionIt is feasible to evaluate the semen quality of fertile men using the FA method. The comprehensive indicators of semen volume, sperm motility, and semen pH can be used as evaluative measures. Across the whole fertile population, the abstinence period and age of first spermatorrhea were correlated with semen quality. In the high semen quality population, smoking and drinking were negatively correlated with semen quality, and participants living in rural areas had better semen quality.
Highlights
Male semen quality is key to healthy birth and healthy breeding, which are important measures for improving reproductive health levels, population quality, and race continuation
We examined five indicators, employed principal component analysis (PCA) for factor extraction, and conducted factor axis rotation by orthogonal rotation with maximum variance
Factor Analysis Results The PCA method was used for factor extraction, and the orthogonal rotation method with maximum variance was used for factor axis rotation
Summary
Male semen quality is key to healthy birth and healthy breeding, which are important measures for improving reproductive health levels, population quality, and race continuation. Studying the semen quality of fertile men, establishing a comprehensive evaluation standard, and exploring the external influencing factors of semen quality will provide guidance and suggestions for ensuring healthy birth and healthy breeding, improving national reproductive health and health care, and preventing male reproductive health issues. In combination with the semen indicators established by the WHO, the methods of principal element analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and factor analysis (FA) have been applied in research regarding semen quality evaluation (Keroyd et al, 2014). Previous studies have found that PCA is an ideal method for comprehensively assessing the influencing factors of semen quality in infertile men, but it is not always suitable for evaluating the influencing factors of semen quality in fertile men. In a population of 120 fertile men in Tianjin, the influence of a single factor on a single component of semen quality was analyzed using the WHO standard, but the influence of this single factor on overall semen quality was not evaluated (Xiu et al, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 call
