Lower Semen Parameters Research Articles

Effect of smoking on methylation and semen parameters.

One type of epigenetic modification is genomic DNA methylation, which is induced by smoking, and both are associated with male infertility. In this study, the relationship between smoking and CHD5 gene methylation and semen parameters in infertile men was determined. After the MS-PCR of blood in 224 samples, 103 infertile patients (62 smokers and 41 non-smokers) and 121 fertile men, methylation level changes between groups and the effect of methylation and smoking on infertility and semen parameters in infertile men were determined. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the methylation status (MM, MU, UU) of the CHD5 gene between the patient and the control group, and this correlation also exists for the semen parameters (p < .001). The average semen parameters in smokers decreased significantly compared to non-smokers and sperm concentration was (32.21 ± 5.27 vs. 55.27 ± 3.38), respectively. MM methylation status was higher in smokers (22.5%) compared to non-smokers (14.6%). Smoking components affect the methylation pattern of CHD5 gene, and smokers had higher methylation levels and lower semen parameters than non-smokers, which can be biomarkers for evaluating semen quality and infertility risk factors. Understanding the epigenetic effects of smoking on male infertility can be very useful for predicting negative consequences of smoking and providing therapeutic solutions.

Association between self-reported mobile phone use and the semen quality of young men

To investigate the association between mobile phone exposure and semen parameters. A nationwide cross-sectional study. Andrology laboratories in close proximity to 6 army recruitment centers. In total, 2886 men from the general Swiss population, 18-22 years old, were recruited between 2005 and 2018 during military conscription. Participants delivered a semen sample and completed a questionnaire on health and lifestyle, including the number of hours they spent using their mobile phones and where they placed them when not in use. Using logistic and multiple linear regression models, adjusted odds ratios and β coefficients were determined, respectively. The association between mobile phone exposure and semen parameters such as volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), motility, and morphology was then evaluated. A total of 2759 men answered the question concerning their mobile phone use, and 2764 gave details on the position of their mobile phone when not in use. In the adjusted linear model, a higher frequency of mobile phone use (>20 times per day) was associated with a lower sperm concentration (adjusted β: -0.152; 95% confidence interval: -0.316; 0.011) and a lower TSC (adjusted β: -0.271; 95% confidence interval: -0.515; -0.027). In the adjusted logistic regression model, this translates to a 30% and 21% increased risk for sperm concentration and TSC to be below the World Health Organization reference values for fertile men, respectively. This inverse association was found to be more pronounced in the first study period (2005-2007) and gradually decreased with time (2008-2011 and 2012-2018). No consistent associations were observed between mobile phone use and sperm motility or sperm morphology. Keeping a mobile phone in the pants pocket was not found to be associated with lower semen parameters. This large population-based study suggests that higher mobile phone use is associated with lower sperm concentration and TSC. The observed time trend of decreasing association is in line with the transition to new technologies and the corresponding decrease in mobile phone output power. Prospective studies with improved exposure assessment are needed to confirm whether the observed associations are causal.

INCREASED RISK FOR CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS IN RELATIVES OF MEN WITH POOR SEMEN QUALITY: EVIDENCE FROM THE UTAH POPULATION DATABASE (UPDB)

Male reproductive health is a marker of individual somatic health and more recently has been associated with familial health. Familial studies offer a unique opportunity to quantity the effect of genetic and shared environmental exposures on male subfertility and birth outcomes. We have previously shown an increased risk of death from congenital malformations (CM) in relatives of men with lower semen parameters. We examine the association between markers of poor semen quality in men presenting for infertility workup and any CM in their relatives, within the Utah Population Database (UPDB).

Urinary bisphenol S concentrations: Potential predictors of and associations with semen quality parameters among men attending a fertility center

BackgroundBisphenol S (BPS) was introduced in the market as a potentially safer alternative to bisphenol A (BPA). However, there are limited studies on health effects of BPS and no epidemiologic studies on its relationship with male reproductive health outcomes, specifically semen quality. ObjectiveTo investigate predictors of urinary BPS concentrations and its association with semen parameters among men attending a fertility center. MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis included 158 men of couples seeking fertility treatment (2011–2017) contributing 338 paired semen and urine samples. At the time of sample collection, men completed a questionnaire on self-reported use of household products and food intake within the previous 24 h. Urinary concentrations of BPA, BPS and bisphenol F were quantified using isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Semen samples were analyzed following WHO guidelines. Multivariable mixed models were used to investigate predictors of urinary BPS concentrations and to evaluate associations between urinary BPS concentrations and semen parameters, using random intercept to account for correlation in outcomes across multiple observations per man and adjusting for abstinence time, specific gravity, age, body mass index (BMI), year of sample collection and BPA concentrations. Analyses were also stratified by BMI (≥25 vs <25 kg/m2). ResultsMedian (IQR) urinary BPS concentration was 0.30 (0.20, 0.90) μg/L, and 76% of samples had detectable (>0.1 μg/L) concentrations. Self-reported fabric softener and paint/solvent use as well as intake of beef and cheese within 24 h before urine collection were positively associated with BPS concentrations. Men with higher BPS concentrations also had significantly higher BMI. Lower semen parameters were found among men with detectable BPS concentrations, compared to men with non-detectable BPS [2.66 vs. 2.91 mL for volume (p = 0.03), 30.7 vs. 38.3 mil/mL for concentration (p = 0.03), 76.8 vs. 90.0 mil for total count (p = 0.09), 43.7 vs. 47.0% for motility (p = 0.06), and 5.42 vs. 6.77% for morphologically normal sperm (p = 0.24)]. Some associations of BPS with lower semen parameters were only found among men with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. ConclusionsWe identified dietary and lifestyle factors associated with BPS exposure, suggesting potential avenues for reducing exposures. We also observed negative associations between BPS and semen parameters, especially among overweight and obese men.

Impact of Seminal Plasma Zinc and Serum Zinc Level on Semen Parameter of Fertile and Infertile Males

Background: Despite Zinc (Zn) deficiency being prevalent in humans, less emphasis has been given on the understanding of its impact on male reproduction. Spermatogenesis has a strict requirement for zinc. The relationship of seminal plasma zinc level and semen parameter until now is controversial.Objective : The study was done to find out the impact of seminal plasma zinc and serum zinc level on semen parameter of fertile and infertile males.Subjects and methods: The study was done in Center for Assisted Reproduction, a tertiary Infertility center in Dhaka and in the Biochemistry Department of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. Sixteen fertile males were taken as control and sixty nine infertile males were taken as cases. Semen analysis was done according to WHO criteria (2004). Serum zinc and seminal plasma zinc levels were measured in the Biochemistry Department of BSMMU by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.Result: Seminal parameters between fertile and infertile men showed significantly high sperm count, sperm motility, rapid linear motility, and morphology in fertile group. In fertile men, serum zinc level was lower than the infertile group, whereas the seminal plasma zinc level was higher in the fertile than the infertile group which was not statistically significant. In fertile men except for serum zinc, all parameters showed positive relationship; and in infertile men, except sperm morphology, all other parameters showed negative relationship. Seminal plasma zinc shows positive correlation with all semen parameters in fertile group and negative correlation in infertile group except for sperm morphology. There is negative correlation of serum zinc and seminal zinc-in both groups. Regarding other parameters, semen zinc shows positive correlation with all parameter except sperm morphology in fertile men and negative correlation with all parameter except sperm count in infertile men.Conclusion: Seminal zinc levels in fertile men are higher than those in the infertile patients although the serum zinc level is lower. Zinc levels in seminal plasma has a direct relationship with semen parameters. Zinc deficiency may be an important risk factor for low semen parameters and idiopathic male infertility.J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2017; 35(1): 15-19

Gender Obesity Report--Influence of obesity on Reproduction and Pregnancy

Obesity influences reproduction in men and women at all ages. The increasing prevalence of obesity is associated with rising numbers of reproductive disorders in both sexes. Obesity influences menstrual cycle and ovulation irregularities, increases pregnancy complications and complication rates in assisted reproductive technologies in women and in men obesity is associated with lower semen parameters. Weight loss through lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery has positive effects on hormonal parameters and fertility in both men and women.

Y chromosome gr/gr subdeletion is associated with lower semen quality in young men from the general Japanese population but not in fertile Japanese Men.

Several case-control studies have investigated whether Y chromosome haplogroups or deletions are associated with spermatogenic failure. However, the relationships between Y chromosome haplogroups or deletions and semen quality in general population have not been elucidated. In this study, we assessed relationships between Y chromosome haplogroups or deletions and semen parameters in 791 fertile Japanese men and 1221 young men from the general Japanese population. We found that the haplogroup D2 (M55 lineage) was significantly associated with lower semen parameters, especially total motile sperm count (P = 0.00051, beta = -0.097), in men from the general population but not in fertile men. In addition, we found that the gr/gr subdeletion was associated with semen quality and in particular, strongly associated with decreased sperm motility (P = 0.00041, beta = -3.14) and total motile sperm count (P = 0.00031, beta = -0.099) in men from the general population but not in fertile men. The combined analysis of fertile Japanese men and men from the general Japanese population showed that the haplogroup D2 (M55 lineage) and the gr/gr subdeletion were strongly associated with reduced sperm motility (P = 0.00056, beta = -2.71, and P = 7.7 × 10(-5), beta = -3.05, respectively) and that haplogroup O2b1 was strongly associated with elevated sperm motility (P = 0.00089, beta = 2.94). These observations add further support for the view that the gr/gr subdeletion diminishes sperm motility that consequently may result in male infertility.

Varicocele and Male Infertility: Evidence in the Era of Assisted Reproductive Technology

Purpose: To evaluate the current literature on the varicocele treatment and impact on fertility. Materials and Methods: Pertinent articles were identified through PubMed search on varicocele repair and male infertility. Discussion: The proposed mechanisms of how varicocele results in impaired spermatogenesis and infertility include an altered or impaired testicular blood flow, increased scrotal temperature and oxidative stress as well as resulting sex hormone changes, reflux of adrenal hormones, and autoimmunity with anti-sperm antibody formation. The repair of varicocele as an infertility treatment is dependent on many factors such as the grade and size of the varicocele, unilateral or simultaneous bilateral repair, female partner’s age, the period during which the couple as failed to conceive and quality of the semen. Summary: Varicoceles can present in up to 40% of men presenting with infertility and published literature support the findings that varicocele adversely affect spermatogenesis. Surgical varicocelectomy is an effective treatment for improving the semen parameters in men and spontaneous pregnancy rate for couples with an infertile male partner who has low semen parameters and a palpable varicocele. Comparative studies favour the microsurgical subinguinal technique as the standard of care with highest rates of success and lowest rates of complications.

Alternate indications for varicocele repair: non-obstructive azoospermia, pain, androgen deficiency and progressive testicular dysfunction

Varicocele repair is indicated for infertile men with clinical varicoceles. Some men with scrotal pain, low testosterone, non-obstructive azoospermia, and who are at risk for testicular dysfunction may also benefit from varicocelectomy.

Hyperprolactinemia And Hypergonadotropins In Infertile Males With Sever Oligospermia And Azoospermia

Serum prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were analyzed in 120 infertile male including: 78(65%) asthenozoospermic, 24(20%) sever oligospermic, 10(8.3%), oligospermic, and 8(6.7%) azoospermic using immunometric assay. Hormonal seric values were correlated with sperm count, motility, and antisperm antibody as detected by Latex Agglutination Test . No clinical importance of autoantibody was appeared in all groups of subjects investigated. A significant week correlation was found between serum LH and sperm count in all infertile males (p=0.002) but not motility, whereas PRL and FSH showed an inverse relationship with motility (r = -0.469 p<0.005, r = -0.316 p< 0.005) respectively. The mean PRL level (reference range 2.5-17 ng/ml) was found to be higher in sever oligospermia and azoospermia (mean 17.9 ±12.7 and 18.6 ±11.7 respectively). On the other hand, the mean LH levels (reference range 0.8-7.6 mIU/ml) and FSH (reference range 0.7-11.1 mIU/ml) was found to be higher in azoospermia (19.9±14.9 and 24.8±32.4 respectively). Increasing profile of FSH and PRL is useful in routine investigation of azoospermic male (p=0.001). These data demonstrate that when using lower semen parameters, the most common serum hormone abnormality is increased in PRL and gonadotrophins. The study gives an impression concerning serum PRL, FSH, and LH in infertile males in Jordan.

Correlation of semen analysis and hypoosmotic swelling test with subsequent pregnancies.

The hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test was evaluated in 40 men whose wives had no apparent fertility factors. Only one of 29 men with normal semen parameters had a surbnormal HOS test, and that couple failed to conceive compared to 27 of 28 with normal HOS test who did conceive. All five couples with husbands with subnormal semen parameters but with normal HOS tests achieved a pregnancy, but none of the three with abnormal HOS tests achieved a pregnancy. The results suggest that the HOS test might be of value in predicting which couples should be more patient despite low semen parameters.