Influence of the abstinence period on human sperm quality: analysis of 2,458 semen samples.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different periods of abstinence on conventional semen parameters as well as functional parameters in human semen, including mitochondrial function, chromatin packing and sperm DNA fragmentation. METHODS: We recruited a cohort of 2,458 men undergoing infertility investigation. Semen analyses were performed according to WHO guidelines/morphology-motile sperm organelle morphology examination/MSOME. For DNA integrity analysis, the percentages of DNA fragmentation (TUNEL), abnormal chromatin packaging/underprotamination (chromomycin A3/CMA3), abnormal mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP/MitoTracker Green), and apoptosis (annexin-V) were recorded. Associations between the sexual abstinence period and sperm parameters were assessed using Spearman correlation. For group comparisons, the subjects were categorized according to the sexual abstinence period (SAP) into three groups: SAP <2 days, SAP 2-5 days, and SAP >5 days. RESULTS: The duration of abstinence had a statistically significant positive influence on sperm concentration and volume, the number of leukocytes and a statistically significant negative influence on sperm motility and vitality. The percentages of DNA fragmentation and MMP (mitochondrial damage) worsened with the increased duration of abstinence. The percentage of sperm protamination was statistically significantly increased with abstinence. CONCLUSION: Increase in the sexual abstinence period influences sperm quality. This study reinforces the importance of the duration of ejaculatory abstinence on semen parameter variation. It highlights the deleterious effect of increased abstinence on DNA damage, which is most likely associated with ROS (mitochondrial damage/number of leukocytes). The increase in chromatin packaging can represent a protective feature for DNA.

[Effect of sexual abstinence on pregnancy rates after an intrauterine insemination]. / Efecto de la abstinencia sexual en las tasas de embarazo posterior a inseminación intrauterine.

BACKGROUND: There are many studies showing that more days of sexual abstinence increased sperm concentration, however, the direct influence between the days of abstinence and pregnancy rates has not been evaluated. The usual recommendation is 3-4 days prior to intrauterine insemination; this based on the interval that maximizes the number of motile sperm in the ejaculate. There are some reports with better success rate when abstinence is less than three days. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pregnancy rate post-intrauterine insemination according to days of sexual abstinence prior to obtaining semen sample. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational and transversal study in patients attending the Mexican Center for Fertility (CEPAM) to intrauterine insemination. For analysis patients were grouped by age group, success rate and days of sexual abstinence. Continuous variables are reported as means and standard deviations; to determine statistical significance univariate logistic regression was performed. Categorical variables were evaluated in frequencies and percentages. The calculations were performed using JMP software program. RESULTS: 3,123 couples were included and increased success rate for intrauterine insemination was obtained with less than seven days of sexual abstinence. The rate of sperm retrieval is inversely proportional to the days of abstinence. CONCLUSION: A better pregnancy rate in intrauterine insemination was achieved with less than seven days of sexual abstinence and sperm retrieval rate was also recorded with fewer days of abstinence.

Amor y adicción: comparación de las características neurales y conductuales: [revisión] / Love and addiction: comparison of the neural and behavioral characteristics: [review]

El amor es una experiencia placentera que se encuentra presente en todas las culturas y que posee una compleja base neurobiológica que la sustenta. El sistema neural del placer es fundamental para dicha experiencia y al contrario de lo que normalmente se piensa, el amor está ligado más con el sistema motivacional que con emociones. Los núcleos y los neurotransmisores que sintetizan la experiencia del amor son los mismos que sustentan la adicción a las drogas como la cocaína, las anfetaminas o la morfina. Además los síntomas por abstinencia del consumo de drogas y los que se generan cuando se termina una relación de pareja son casi los mismos.

The love is a pleasant experience that is present in all the culture and that possesses a complex base neurobiological that sustains her. The neural system of the pleasure is fundamental for the above mentioned experience and unlike what normally this one thinks the love tied more with the system motivational that with emotions. The nucleuses and the neurotransmitters that they synthesize during the experience of the love are the same that sustain the addiction the drugs as the cocaine, the amphetamines and the morphine. In addition the symptom for abstinence of the consumption of drugs and those who are generated when a relation of pair finishes are almost the same one.

Semen analysis in fertile patients undergoing vasectomy: reference values and variations according to age, length of sexual abstinence, seasonality, smoking habits and caffeine intake

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Estudos recentes têm demonstrado diferenças regionais e populacionais quanto a características do sêmen. O objetivo foi estabelecer valores de referência para análise seminal e verificar o efeito da idade, tempo de abstinência sexual, sazonalidade, hábito de fumar e consumo de cafeína sobre as características do sêmen de indivíduos férteis. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo prospectivo, na Divisão de Clínica Urológica do Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Entre setembro de 1999 e agosto de 2002, 500 homens férteis requisitando vasectomia com propósitos de esterilização voluntária foram solicitados a coletar uma amostra de sêmen antes da vasectomia. Avaliamos efeitos da idade, abstinência sexual, sazonalidade, consumo de cigarros e café nas características seminais. RESULTADOS: Quando comparados aos valores da Organização Mundial de Saúde, 87,2 por cento dos pacientes apresentavam morfologia espermática abaixo do normal. Foi observado declínio significativo do volume seminal, motilidade e morfologia em pacientes acima de 45 anos. Em pacientes com cinco dias ou mais de abstinência, houve redução da motilidade. Valores mais baixos para concentração, motilidade e morfologia espermática foram observados no verão e os mais elevados no inverno. Não houve diferenças nos parâmetros seminais estudados de acordo com o hábito de fumar. Com relação ao consumo de café, pacientes que ingeriam seis ou mais xícaras/dia apresentaram maior motilidade espermática. CONCLUSAO: Houve baixa porcentagem de morfologia espermática normal. Apenas a morfologia espermática apresentou alto percentual de anormalidade se levado em consideração o padrão descrito pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. Foram identificadas diferenças nos parâmetros seminais de acordo com a idade, tempo de abstinência sexual, sazonalidade e consumo de café. Não houve diferenças de acordo com o hábito de fumar.

Semen analysis in fertile patients undergoing vasectomy: reference values and variations according to age, length of sexual abstinence, seasonality, smoking habits and caffeine intake.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown regional and population differences in semen characteristics. The objective was to establish reference values for semen analysis and to verify the effect that age, length of sexual abstinence, seasonality, smoking habits and coffee consumption have on fertile individuals' semen characteristics. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study in the Urology Division, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Between September 1999 and August 2002, 500 fertile men requesting a vasectomy for sterilization purposes were asked to provide a semen sample before the vasectomy. We evaluated the effects of age, sexual abstinence, seasonality, smoking and coffee consumption on semen characteristics. RESULTS: Compared with World Health Organization values, 87.2% of the patients presented sperm morphology below the normal level. A significant decline in semen volume, sperm motility and sperm morphology in patients over 45 years of age was observed. In patients with 5 days or more of abstinence, there was reduced sperm motility. The lowest values for sperm concentration, motility and morphology were observed in summer and the highest in winter. No differences in semen parameters relating to smoking were detected. Patients who drank six or more cups of coffee per day presented higher sperm motility. CONCLUSIONS: Our sample had a very low percentage of normal sperm morphology. Only sperm morphology showed a high abnormality rate. Differences in semen parameters with regard to age, length of sexual abstinence, seasonality and coffee consumption were identified. No differences relating to smoking were detected.