Mean Sperm Density Research Articles

Identification of andrologic patient groups by cluster analysis

To test the validity of the current andrologic classification system, we performed cluster analysis in 317 andrologic patients involuntarily barren for more than 1 year. For cluster analysis, the spermatologic parameters sperm density, motility, and morphologic features were used since only these parameters contributed significantly to group identification, as revealed by stepwise discriminant function analysis. The optimal number clusters determined by calculation of the variance criterion was five. The resulting five groups partly correspond to the prevailing descriptive classification system as far as the extreme groups of "high-grade oligoteratoasthenozoospermia" and "polyzoospermia" are concerned. Surprisingly, cluster analysis distinguished between two groups of normozoospermia that differed in their mean sperm density. Cluster analysis may prove to become a powerful tool for andrologic classification.

Reproductive development during winter and spring of Merino ram lambs grown at three different rates

Twenty-four spring-born Merino ram lambs which had grown too slowly to reach puberty in their first autumn of life here studied from 5 months of age onwards. At 7 months of age, when their mean weight was 25.5 kg, groups of eight rams were allocated to three feeding levels, 130% (group L), 165% (group M) and 200% (group H) of their energy maintenance requirement. Development of testes, penis, sexual activity and ejaculate characteristics was assessed at 2-week intervals for the next 22 weeks. The ram lambs grew at 83.8, 130.3 and 182.8 g per day for groups L, M and H respectively. Groups M and H reached full penis development 4 weeks earlier than group L. At the end of the experiment groups L, M and H had mean testis volumes of 312.5, 368,7 and 437.5 ml (P < 0.05), respectively. For groups L, M and H, respectively, at the end of the experiment, the mean sperm density was 1.47 x 109/ml, 2.07 x 109/ml and 2.51 x 109/ml (P < 0.05). The total numbers of sperm per ejaculate were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the H group than in the M and L groups. Other ejaculate characteristics (ejaculate volume, motility score, percentage of live and abnormal sperm) were not significantly different between the groups. Libido, assessed in 5-min and 20-min tests, tended to increase during the experiment, but there were no significant differences in libido score at any time of testing. Thus in Merino rams which had failed to reach pubertal weights in their first autumn, more generous subsequent feeding allowed puberty to be reached when appropriate weights were achieved in the following winter and spring.

The lack of discriminant seminal and endocrine variables in the partners of fertile and infertile women.

Seminal and endocrinological investigations were done on 50 fertile men whose wives became pregnant spontaneously (Group I), on 100 men from our fertility clinic whose wives conceived after treatment of the couple (Group II) and in 100 infertile men whose wives failed to become pregnant even after 5-year treatment of the couple (Group III). Patients with azoospermia were excluded. While there were no significant differences in the mean sperm density and total sperm count of the men from all three groups, mean sperm motility and sperm morphology were significantly better (p less than 0.001) in both Group I and Group II men than in the infertile Group III men. The mean serum LH and FSH concentrations were significantly lower in Group I than in the two other groups. However, there were no differences between Groups II and III. The mean serum concentrations of prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol were similar in all three groups. Based on semen and hormone data, stepwise multiple discriminant analysis could allocate 80% of the Group I men correctly, whereas only 50% of Groups II and III could be correctly classified. Although overall differences in sperm motility and morphology as well as in serum gonadotrophin concentrations were noted, no specific seminal or hormonal variable could be identified as being of value in predicting the fertility of an individual man.

Distribution and role on fertilization of porcine zona pellucida antigens analyzed by monoclonal antibodies

Ten normal men were given three monthly intramuscular injections of 200 mg of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and 250 mg of testosterone (T) enanthate. Six men became azoospermic, while four remained oligozoospermic, with a mean sperm density of 1.5 ± 0.3 standard error of the mean million/mi. Zona-free hamster oocyte penetration was abolished in all oligozoospermic samples at the end of treatment. Twenty of the 21 oligozoospermic samples yielding at least 0.6 to 5.0 million motile spermatozoa showed a complete absence of oocyte penetration. Semen parameters returned to normal, although some took up to 12 months. These findings demonstrated an antifertility action of MP A and T enanthate on the functional capacity of residual spermatozoa and support the view that extreme oligozoospermia may be a tenable target for reversible steroid male contraception.

Semen analysis parameters and their interrelationships in suspected infertile men.

The mean semen parameters and their interrelationships are reported for the first semen analyses performed on a population of 1801 suspected infertile men. For this population, the mean (+/- SD) sperm density was 84.3 (+/- 78.3) x 10(6)/ml, the mean volume was 3.3 (+/- 1.7) ml, and the mean total sperm count was 265.6 (+/- 270.0) x 10(6)/ejaculate. After exclusion of 90 cases of azoospermia (5.0% of the patients), these values became 88.7 (+/- 77.8), 3.4 (+/- 1.7), and 279.5 (+/- 269.9), respectively. For the population of patients with spermatozoa in their semen, the mean (+/- SD;n) percentages of motile, viable and morphological normal spermatozoa were 50.3 (+/- 15.4; 1677), 77.3 (+/- 11.9; 830), and 54.2 (+/- 11.7; 1587), respectively. Loge transformation of the sperm density values in sperm-positive ejaculates gave a mean of 51.9 x 10(6)/ml with 95% confidence limits of 12.3 to 219.0 x 10(6)/ml. Ejaculate volume was slightly, but significantly, reduced in cases of azoospermia and polyzoospermia (i.e., greater than 200 x 10(6)/ml). Significant positive correlations were found between sperm density and the parameters of sperm quality, and also between these latter three parameters themselves. Increasing semen viscosity had no effect upon the morphology of the spermatozoa, but in ejaculates with marked or high viscosity the motility and viability of the spermatozoa were significantly depressed.

Seminal Characteristics in the Presence of a Varicocele as Compared with those of Expectant Fathers and Prevasectomy Men

One hundred and thirty-one semen analyses were performed on men found to have a varicocele on a routine physical examination. The seminal characteristics of these men were contrasted with those of 87 men who were desirous of having a vasectomy and with those of 25 expectant fathers. No significant differences were found in the mean sperm density in these three groups of men. However, it was noted that a greater percentage of men with a varicocele had a sperm count of 20 million or less as compared with the control groups. It was also found that a greater percentage of the men with either a large or medium-sized varicocele had a sperm count of 20 million or less than those with a small varicocele. There was no significant difference in the percentage of oval forms, motility, or tapered forms in the three groups of men with a varicocele as compared with expectant fathers and men desirous of a vasectomy.

Gynecomastia and Semen Abnormalities Induced by Spironolactone in Normal Men

The clinical and hormonal effects of spironolactone on the pituitary-testicular axis were evaluated in healthy, young men. One group of nine men took 100 mg daily for 4 weeks, none for 4 weeks, then 400 mg daily for 4 weeks. The dialyzable fraction of testosterone increased by 20% (P < 0.01) during both periods of spironolactone administration. The serum concentrations of FSH, LH, testosterone andestradiol, however, did not change during either period, nor did the FSH and LH responses to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Another group of 9 men took 400 mg of spironolactone daily for up to 24 weeks. During this time6 developed gynecomastia and 2 noted a decrease in libido. Two men had decreases in sperm density and motility that were apparently drug-related, although the mean sperm density of all 9 men did not change significantly. No change occurred in the mean serum concentrations of FSH, LH, testosterone or estradiol. In vitro incubation of canrenone, the principal circulating metabolite of spir...

Testicular function after orchiopexy for unilaterally undescended testis.

Testicular function was determined in 29 men, 21 to 35 years old, who had undergone orchiopexy for unilaterally undescended testis at four to 12 years of age. Serum testosterone and dialyzable testosterone concentrations of these men were not significantly different from those of a control group of 30 normal men, and their basal serum luteinizing hormone concentrations and serum luteinizing hormone responses to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone were only slightly higher than those of the normal men. The mean sperm density of the patients, however, was only one third of that of the normal men (p less than 0.001). The mean serum follicle stimulating hormone response ro gonadotropin-releasing hormone of the patients was doubled that of the normal men (p less than 0.001). The data indicate that spermatogenesis may be abnormal after orchipexy, and suggest that men with unilaterally undescended testis may have bilateral testicular abnormality.

The Semen of Fertile Men. II. Semen Characteristics of 100 Fertile Men

From a population of men applying for voluntary sterilization, 100 consecutive cases were selected according to the following criteria: (1) each man had fathered at least two children; (2) at the time of the request for a vasectomy the man's wife was pregnant; and (3) a complete prevasectomy semen analysis, including sperm morphology, was available. The usual parameters of human semen evaluation are reported: the mean volume of the ejaculates was 3.3 ml +/- 0.84 SD (range, 0.5 to 11 ml); the mean sperm density was 81 million/ml +/- 57 SD (range, 4 to 318); while the geometric mean, which according to the sample distribution is more representative, was 68. The mean percentage of motile sperm was 63% +/- 16 SD (range, 10 to 95%); the grade of forward progression was 3 +/- 0.55 SD (range, 2 to 4); and for sperm morphology the mean number of sperm with oval heads was 75% +/- 6 SD (range, 21 to 90%). Statistical comparison of these findings with those of our previous study of the semen of 1300 fertile men revealed complete agreement; minor statistical differences, on single parameters, with three similar studies are indicated. A positive relationship between the different variables, sperm density and sperm motility (in percentage of motile sperm and degree of forward motion), as well as between the two variables of sperm motility and sperm morphology to the other variables was confirmed.

The collection and examination of semen of the Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Semen was collected from all the mature Reindeer bulls (9) in the Glenmore herd, both normal and vasectomized. Nineteen samples of semen were obtained. Reindeer semen is a viscous fluid, generally amber in colour: after vasectomy its viscosity is much lower. The mean volume of the ejaculates was 0–5 ml. and mean sperm density 467 × 104 spermatozoa. Motility was low in comparison with other mammals and the proportion of eosinophilic spermatozoa was high (74.5%). Other determinations included measurements of the size of unstained spermatozoa, and of fructose and citric acid concentration in the semen.