Low Motile Sperm Count Research Articles

Phytoestrogen intake and other dietary risk factors for low motile sperm count and poor sperm morphology.

Few potentially modifiable risk factors of male infertility have been identified, and while different diets and food groups have been associated with male infertility, evidence linking dietary factors including phytoestrogens and semen quality is limited and contradictory. To study the associations between phytoestrogen intake and other dietary factors and semen quality. A case-referent study was undertaken of the male partners, of couples attempting conception with unprotected intercourse for 12months or more without success, recruited from 14 UK assisted reproduction clinics. A total of 1907 participants completed occupational, lifestyle and dietary questionnaires before semen quality (concentration, motility and morphology) were assessed. Food intake was estimated by a 65-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) covering the 12months prior to recruitment. Analyses of dietary risk factors for low motile sperm concentration (MSC: <4.8×106 /mL) and poor sperm morphology (PM: <4% normal morphology) used unconditional logistic regression, accounting for clustering of subjects within the clinics, first without, and then with, adjustment for confounders associated with that outcome. High consumption of daidzein (≥13.74μg/d), a phytoestrogen found in soy products, was a protective factor for MSC with an odds ratio (95%CI) of 0.58 (0.42-0.82) after adjustment for clustering and potential confounding. Dietary risk factors for PM after similar adjustment showed that drinking whole milk (OR 0.67, 95%CI 0.47-0.96) and eating red meat were protective with an OR 0.67 (0.46-0.99) for eating red meat >3 times/wk. In this case-referent study of men attending an infertility clinic for fertility diagnosis, we have identified that low MSC is inversely associated with daidzein intake. In contrast, daidzein intake was not associated with PM but eating red milk and drinking whole milk were protective. Dietary factors associated with semen quality were identified, suggesting that male fertility might be improved by dietary changes.

At-home sperm testing for epidemiologic studies: Evaluation of the Trak male fertility testing system in an internet-based preconception cohort.

Semen quality assessment in population-based epidemiologic studies presents logistical and financial challenges due to reliance on centralised laboratory semen analysis. The Trak Male Fertility Testing System is an FDA-cleared and validated at-home test for sperm concentration and semen volume, with a research use only sperm motility test. Here we evaluate the Trak System's overall utility among men participating in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a web-based study of North American couples planning pregnancy. US male participants aged ≥21years with ≤6months of pregnancy attempt time at study enrolment were invited to participate in the semen testing substudy after completing their baseline questionnaire. Consenting participants received a Trak Engine (battery-powered centrifuge) and two test kits. Participants shared their test results via smartphone images uploaded to online questionnaires. Data were then linked with covariate data from the baseline questionnaire. Of the 688 men invited to participate, 373 (54%) provided consent and 271 (73%) completed at least one semen test result. The distributions of semen volume, sperm concentration, motile sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm count were similar to 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) semen parameter data of men in the general population. The overall usability score for the Trak System was 1.4 on a 5-point Likert scale (1=Very Easy, 5=Difficult), and 92% of participants believed they performed the test correctly and received an accurate result. Lastly, men with higher motile sperm count were more likely to report feeling "at ease" or "excited" following testing, while men with low motile sperm count were more likely to report feeling "concerned" or "frustrated." Overall, 91% of men reported they would like to test again. The Trak System provides a simple and potentially cost-effective means of measuring important semen parameters and may be useful in population-based epidemiologic fertility studies.

Occupation exposures and sperm morphology: a case-referent analysis of a multi-centre study

ObjectiveWe examined occupational exposures and sperm morphology to establish whether exposures implicated differed from those affecting motile sperm concentration.MethodsComputer aided sperm morphometric assessment was undertaken on morphology slides obtained as...

Effect of Obesity on Hormonal Profile and Semen Parameters of Male Partners of Infertile Couples in Kwara State Nigeria

Background : Infertility is a global and a public health concern in many parts of subSaharan Africa and obesity is gradually becoming an epidemic disease that is rapidly spreading among Africans. Male obesity has been associated with increased incidence of low sperm concentration and progressively low motile sperm count. Methods: The study was a multicenter prospective comparative analytical study conducted at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Anchor Medical Centre, Royal Medical Centre, Surulere Medical Centre and Mid-land Fertility Centre all in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria over a period of six months (February to July 2011). Our aim was to identify the effect of male obesity on measures of reproductive potentials among male partners of infertile couples. Serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen of 42 obese and 42 non obese male partners of infertile couples were assayed in addition to seminal fluid analysis. Results: There was a statistically significant association between obesity, class of obesity with sperm count and sperm motility (All P 0.05). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an inverse but significant relationship between male obesity and semen parameters (sperm count and motility), serum

Occupation and male infertility: glycol ethers and other exposures

Objectives: To investigate the relation between male infertility and occupational exposures, particularly glycol ethers. Methods: A case-referent study was designed in which men attending 14 fertility clinics in 11 centres...

Ejaculatory duct obstruction caused by a right giant seminal vesicle with an ipsilateral upper urinary tract agenesia: an embryologic malformation

To report our experience with TURED in infertile men with EDO associated with abnormal development of the mesonephric or Wolffian duct, causing a contemporary malformation of the ipsilateral upper urinary tract. Retrospective clinical study. Infertile men in an hospital environment. Seven patients affected by Zinner syndrome, from March to September 2005, were selected. Underwent TURED. Semen analysis, endocrine profile, transrectal ultrasonography and seminal vesicles aspiration, excretory urography, computerized tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Before surgery, the patients experienced a decreased intensity and force of ejaculation and a low motile sperm count. The detection of the ipsilateral upper urinary tract malformation by the patients was incidental. After surgery, all patients reported having a projectile ejaculation, an increase in the average postoperative volume, and of the total motile sperm count. A seminal vesicle cyst combined with ipsilateral renal agenesis, described as Zinner syndrome, is a rare urological anomaly. It is frequently asymptomatic or else characterized by infertility, symptoms of bladder irritation, or pain in the scrotum and perineum. In selected patients, TURED can improve semen quality with subsequent ability to impregnate. The upper urinary tract malformation should be treated in symptomatic cases only.

Occupational exposure to solvents and male infertility

OBJECTIVESTo determine whether, in a case-referent study of infertility patients, cases with low motile sperm count were more likely than referents to have had exposure to organic solvents.METHODSOccupations of men...