Association between body mass index and semen quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The continuous decline of human semen quality during the past decades has drawn much concern globally. Previous studies have suggested a link between abnormal BMI and semen quality decline, but the results remain inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and semen quality. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for eligible studies from inception to April 17, 2022. We considered men with BMI < 25.0 kg/m2 as the reference and calculated the pooled weighted mean difference of men with overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2), class I obesity (BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m2), and class II/III obesity (BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m2). A total of 5070 articles were identified, of which 50 studies were included (71,337 subjects). Compared with men with BMI < 25.0 kg/m2, men with obesity had an average reduction of 0.24 ml in semen volume, 19.56 × 106 in total sperm number, 2.21% in total motility, 5.95% in progressive motility, and 1.08% in normal forms, respectively, while men with overweight had an average reduction of 0.08 ml in semen volume and 2.91% in progressive motility, respectively. The reduction of semen quality was more pronounced among men with obesity than that among men with overweight. Moreover, significant reductions in semen quality were identified in men with different classes of obesity, which were more pronounced in men with class II/III obesity than that in men with class I obesity. Across men from the general population, infertile or subfertile men, and suspiciously subfertile men, we identified significant semen quality reductions in men with obesity/overweight. In conclusion, obesity and overweight were significantly associated with semen quality reductions, suggesting that maintaining normal weight may help prevent semen quality decline.

Age related semen parameters and ICSI pregnancy outcomes of 8046 men in Turkey over a 9-year period.

The effect of paternal age on fertility remains unclear. This retrospective study aims to examine the impact of male age on semen parameters and the reproductive outcomes of men admitted to an infertility center over a 9-year period. A total of 8046 patients were included in the study. Men were divided into four age groups. The groups were evaluated for semen parameters and reproductive outcome. The 21-30 year group presented lower sperm concentrations in comparison to those aged 31-40 and 41-50, yet shared a similar concentration to those over 50 years of age. Moreover, grades A and B decreased significantly in men aged over 50 years. The highest progressive motility and normozoospermia were observed in the age group 31-40 years while men over 50 years of age had the highest rates of asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia. Furthermore, live birth results were reported in 5583 of the patients who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and were found highest between 31-40 years of age. To our knowledge, this is the largest study in Turkey focusing on male age-related semen parameters and ICSI pregnancy outcomes. The study demonstrates that age is a significant factor for semen quality and live birth.

Hispanic Ethnicity and Fertility Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between ethnicity and fertility outcomes for men in a statewide cohort. METHODS: We linked data from the Utah Population Database and Subfertility Health Assisted Reproduction and Environment database, to comprise a cohort of sub-fertile men who underwent semen analysis between 1998 and 2017 in Utah. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was constructed to understand the impact of ethnicity on fertility outcomes in our cohort. RESULTS: A total of 11,363 men were included. 1039 (9.1%) were Hispanic. 39.7% of men in the lowest socioeconomic status group were Hispanic (P <.001). When controlling for demographic and clinical factors, the number of live births was reduced for Hispanic men (hazard ratios [HR] = 0.62 [0.57-0.67], P <.001). Though fertility treatment had a positive effect (HR 1.242 [1.085-1.421], P <.001), in competing risks models, Hispanic men were less likely to use fertility treatment (HR = 0.633 [0.526-0.762], P <.001). CONCLUSION: Hispanic ethnicity is significantly associated with a lower likelihood of successful fertility outcomes in Utah. Hispanic men had nearly a 40% reduced likelihood of live births when controlling for sociodemographic factors. Our results indicate that, depending on age, Hispanic men have up to approximately 14 fewer live births per 100 men per year, pointing to a significant disparity in fertility outcomes in the state of Utah. Given 15.1% of Utah's population identifies as Hispanic and 18.7% of the United States population identifies as Hispanic on the 2020 Census, a better understanding of the association of ethnicity and fertility outcomes is imperative.

Impact of paternal age on assisted reproductive technology outcomes and offspring health: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The increase in paternal age and the percentage of births after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may have consequences on offspring and society's position regarding access to ART must be questioned. Most countries recommend limiting ART to men under 60 years. What is the rationale for this threshold? OBJECTIVE: This systematic review assesses scientific arguments to establish links between paternal age, male fertility, and offspring health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of the literature analyzed 111 articles selected after screening PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science for articles published between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2021. RESULTS: A strong correlation was highlighted between advanced paternal age and a decrease of some sperm parameters (semen volume and sperm motility) and infant morbidity (exponentially increased incidence of achondroplasia and Apert syndrome, and more moderately increased incidence of autism and schizophrenia). The impact of paternal age on pregnancy and fetal aneuploidy rates is more controversial. No association was found with spontaneous abortion rates. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The scientific parameters should be explained to older parents undergoing ART. And for countries that discuss a limit on paternal age for access to ART, the debate requires consideration of social and ethical arguments.

Reproductive urologic consultation in subfertile men: predictors of establishing care and patient perceptions after abnormal semen testing.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictors of establishing care with a reproductive urologist (RU) among men with abnormal semen analyses (SAs) ordered by nonurologists and examine patient perceptions of abnormal SAs in the absence of RU consultation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study with cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Large, integrated academic healthcare system during 2002-2019. PATIENT(S): We identified adult men undergoing initial SAs with nonurologists who had abnormalities. Patients with index SAs during 2002-2018 were included for the analysis of RU consultation. Men tested in 2019 were recruited for cross-sectional survey. INTERVENTION(S): Cross-sectional survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): RU consultation and accurate perception of abnormal SAs. RESULT(S): A total of 2,283 men had abnormal SAs ordered by nonurologists, among whom 20.5% underwent RU consultation. Mixed-effect logistic regression modeling identified oligospermia as the strongest predictor of RU care (odds ratio, 3.08; 95% confidence interval, 2.43-3.90) with a significant provider-level random intercept. We observed substantial provider-level heterogeneity among nonurologists with provider-specific rates of RU evaluation ranging from 3.7% to 35.8%. We contacted 310 men who did not undergo RU consultation with a 27.2% survey response rate. Of respondents, 6.7% reported receiving an RU referral. Among men with abnormal SAs not evaluated by RU, 22.7% appropriately perceived an abnormal SA. CONCLUSION(S): In men with abnormal SAs diagnosed by nonurologists, the rate of RU consultation was low and associated with substantial provider-level variation among ordering providers. Patients without RU consultation reported inaccurate perceptions of their SA. Multidisciplinary efforts are needed to ensure that subfertile men receive appropriate RU evaluation.

Prevalence of Hyperprolactinemia and Clinically Apparent Prolactinomas in Men Undergoing Fertility Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma among men presenting for initial fertility evaluation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of men presenting for initial fertility evaluation at a tertiary care, academic health system between 1999 and 2018. Men with measured prolactin levels were analyzed to determine prevalence of hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma. We compared clinical characteristics of men with and without hyperprolactinemia. Univariable and multivariable analysis were used to determine factors associated with hyperprolactinemia. We assessed effects of hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma on testosterone levels, semen parameters and pregnancy outcomes after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 3101 men had serum prolactin level measured. 65 (2.1%) had hyperprolactinemia. Patients with hyperprolactinemia had lower testosterone (median 280 ng/dL vs 313 ng/dL, P = 0.038) and lower total motile sperm count (median 7.0 million vs 34.7 million, P = 0.001) compared to men without hyperprolactinemia. 43.1% of men with hyperprolactinemia had oligospermia vs 21.5% of men without hyperprolactinemia (P<0.001). Univariable analysis demonstrated that men with elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) (OR 1.077, P = 0.001) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (OR 1.032, P = 0.002) were more likely to have hyperprolactinemia. Men with oligospermia were more likely to have hyperprolactinemia (OR 2.334, P = 0.004). On multivariable analysis, neither hormone parameters nor oligospermia were associated with elevated prolactin (P>0.05). Of the 65 men with hyperprolactinemia, 11 (17%) were diagnosed with a prolactinoma, resulting in an overall prevalence of 11 in 3101 (0.35%). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of prolactinoma in our cohort of men undergoing fertility evaluation was 35-fold higher than the prevalence in the general male population.

Associations between depression, oxidative stress, and semen quality among 1,000 healthy men screened as potential sperm donors.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between depression and semen quality and the mediating role of oxidative stress. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with repeated measures of semen quality. SETTING: Human Sperm Bank of Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. PATIENT(S): From April 2017 to July 2018, we recruited 1,000 potential sperm donors who completed the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire and had measures of oxidative stress biomarkers. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Severity of depression was evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory scores (0-4, no depression; 5-13, mild depression; 14-20, moderate depression; and 21 or greater, severe depression). The urinary concentrations of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mercapturic acid, and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-isoPGF2α) were measured to reflect oxidative stress status. Repeated semen quality parameters (n = 5,880) were examined by trained professional technicians according to the World Health Organization laboratory manual. Associations between depression, oxidative stress, and repeated measures of semen quality parameters were evaluated using linear or mixed-effects models with adjustment for potential confounders. Mediation analysis was performed to test the potential mediating role of oxidative stress. RESULT(S): A total of 391 (39.1%) men were classified as mild depression, 67 (6.7%) as moderate depression, and 19 (1.9%) as severe depression. Inverse dose-response relationships between severity of depression and semen quality parameters were found. Compared with men without depression (n = 523), those with severe depression had a 25.26% (95% confidence interval, -38.65%, -8.93%) lower semen volume, 37.04% (-55.37%, -11.20%) lower total sperm count, 13.57% (-23.17%, -2.78%) lower total motility, and 15.08% (-25.09%, -3.72%) lower progressive motility; men with moderate depression also had a 12.28% (-21.16%, -2.40%) lower semen volume and 23.56% (-36.50%, -7.97%) lower total sperm count. We found a positive dose-response relationship between severity of depression and urinary 8-isoPGF2α concentrations. However, we found no evidence that the associations between depression status and semen quality were mediated by oxidative stress markers. CONCLUSION(S): In the study of Chinese male sperm donors, men with depression had worse semen quality parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, and progressive motility. Although depression was positively associated with urinary 8-isoPGF2α concentrations, depression-semen quality associations were not mediated by oxidative stress.

Are sperm parameters able to predict the success of assisted reproductive technology? A retrospective analysis of over 22,000 assisted reproductive technology cycles.

BACKGROUND: An explosive increase in couples attending assisted reproductive technology has been recently observed, despite an overall success rate of about 20%-30%. Considering the assisted reproductive technology-related economic and psycho-social costs, the improvement of these percentages is extremely relevant. However, in the identification of predictive markers of assisted reproductive technology success, male parameters are largely underestimated so far. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether conventional semen parameters could predict assisted reproductive technology success. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All couples attending a single third-level fertility center from 1992 to 2020 were retrospectively enrolled, collecting all semen and assisted reproductive technology parameters of fresh cycles. Fertilization rate was the primary end-point, representing a parameter immediately dependent on male contribution. Pregnancy and live birth rates were considered in relation to semen variables. Statistical analyses were performed using the parameters obtained according to the World Health Organization manual editions used for semen analysis. RESULTS: Note that, 22,013 in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were considered. Overall, fertilization rate was significantly lower in patients with abnormal semen parameters compared to normozoospermic men, irrespective of the World Health Organization manual edition. In the in vitro fertilization setting, both progressive motility (p = 0.012) and motility after capacitation (p = 0.002) significantly predicted the fertilization rate (statistical accuracy = 71.1%). Sperm motilities also predicted pregnancy (p < 0.001) and live birth (p = 0.001) rates. In intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, sperm morphology predicted fertilization rate (p = 0.001, statistical accuracy = 90.3%). Sperm morphology significantly predicted both pregnancy (p < 0.001) and live birth (p < 0.001) rates and a cut-off of 5.5% was identified as a threshold to predict clinical pregnancy (area under the curve = 0.811, p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Interestingly, sperm motility plays a role in predicting in vitro fertilization success, while sperm morphology is the relevant parameter in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. These parameters may be considered reliable tools to measure the male role on ART outcomes, potentially impacting the clinical management of infertile couples.

Prospective analysis over time of semen parameters in spinal cord-injured patients: Results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury often results in erectile dysfunction and an ejaculation along with impaired semen parameters. Fertility is a major concern in spinal cord injury adult males and some fear that the delay post-spinal cord injury may negatively affect sperm quality. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to (i) assess semen parameters over time in SCI patients according to age at spinal cord injury, time post-spinal cord injury, and the spinal cord injury level and completeness and (ii) measure markers in semen for inflammation and marker of oxidative stress to investigate their impact on sperm parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a prospective, longitudinal, pilot study over 18 months. Thirty-five men with spinal cord injury from 18 to 60 years of age were enrolled. Their mean age was 29.4 ± 6.4 years. Semen retrieval was scheduled every 6 months, allowing analysis of four ejaculates, in association with measurement of granulocyte and seminal plasma elastase concentrations to assess markers in semen for inflammation and spermatozoa DNA fragmentation to assess oxidative stress. RESULTS: Based on reference limits, a normal total sperm number, decreased motility and vitality of the spermatozoa, and increased morphological abnormalities were found. Mean round cell and granulocyte concentrations were elevated in the semen. Markers in semen for inflammation and marker of oxidative stress were elevated in several semen samples, compared to reference limits. However, neither the presence of markers in semen for inflammation or oxidative stress, the completeness or the level of the spinal cord lesion, the age or the time post-spinal cord injury had a negative impact on the semen quality over time. DISCUSSION: There was no significant decline in semen quality in spinal cord injury patients over time within the limitations of this pilot study. Moreover, a chronic genital inflammatory status was not associated with impairment of semen quality. CONCLUSION: The present findings are reassuring for men with spinal cord injury and could guide the management of their reproductive ability. According to these preliminary data, not all spinal cord injury patients who are able to ejaculate require systematic freezing of their spermatozoa.

Association of malignant neoplasms with semen quality in Guangdong province, China: A propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported lower semen quality in malignant neoplasm patients before antineoplastic treatments, but the adverse effects of malignant neoplasms on semen quality have rarely been quantitatively evaluated. In addition, due to the lack of a comparable control group and limited types of studied malignant neoplasms, the results remain inconsistent and inconclusive. OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively evaluate the potential adverse effects of specific malignant neoplasms on semen quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate 445 malignant neoplasm patients undergoing sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation in Guangdong province, China during 2016-2019. A propensity score matching method was used to select a comparable control group from 9170 sperm donation volunteers. Each subject was analyzed for semen quality. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to assess the association between malignant neoplasm and semen quality. RESULTS: Using the propensity score matching method, 413 (92.8%) malignant neoplasm patients were successfully matched with 798 sperm donation volunteers. Overall, malignant neoplasms were significantly associated with a 0.3 ml, 17.1 × 106 /ml, 67.6 × 106 , 9.8%, 10.2%, and 6.4% reduction in semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, total motility, progressive motility, and normal forms, respectively. Malignant neoplasm of testis, nasopharynx and digestive organs, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia were significantly associated with a reduction in sperm motility and normal forms, while malignant neoplasm of testis, Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia were also significantly associated with reduced sperm concentration and/or total sperm number. The reduction in sperm concentration and total sperm number associated with malignant neoplasms was significantly greater in subjects < 30 years. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that malignant neoplasms were significantly associated with a reduction in semen quality, which varied across the type of malignant neoplasms. Our results highlight the needs to examine semen quality for young malignant neoplasm patients, especially those who are expected to conceive.

Perceptions of Infertility and Semen Analysis Testing Among American Men Without Children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether health-conscious men are more likely to be concerned about infertility and self-initiate semen analysis at a laboratory/clinic or through a direct-to-consumer at-home product without a health care provider recommendation. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey conducted online via ResearchMatch.org between November 2019 and January 2020. Men age 18 and older without children (n = 634) were included for analysis. Outcomes were likelihood of self-initiating a semen analysis, prevalence of infertility concern. RESULTS: Of the 634 participants, 186 expressed concern about infertility but only 29% were likely to discuss these concerns with a health care provider. More men would self-initiate a semen analysis using an at-home product than through a traditional laboratory/clinic (14.2% vs 10.4%, P = .04). Odds of self-initiating a traditional semen analysis were higher for men concerned about low testosterone (odds ratio [OR] 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-4.74, P = .023) and infertility (OR 3.91, 95% CI 2.14-7.15, P <.001). Self-initiating an at-home semen analysis was associated with concern for low testosterone and infertility as well as middle age (age 40-59: OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.16-7.88, P = .024) and fitness tracker use (OR: 1.95, 95% CI 1.12-3.39, P = .018). CONCLUSION: Many men were unlikely to discuss infertility concerns with a health care provider. Middle aged men and those who used fitness trackers were more likely to self-initiate fertility evaluation through at-home semen analysis. Concern about low serum testosterone was pervasive and strongly associated with concern for being infertile and self-initiating a semen analysis of any kind.

Multistage Optimization Using a Modified Gaussian Mixture Model in Sperm Motility Tracking.

Infertility is a condition whereby pregnancy does not occur despite having unprotected sexual intercourse for at least one year. The main reason could originate from either the male or the female, and sometimes, both contribute to the fertility disorder. For the male, sperm disorder was found to be the most common reason for infertility. In this paper, we proposed male infertility analysis based on automated sperm motility tracking. The proposed method worked in multistages, where the first stage focused on the sperm detection process using an improved Gaussian Mixture Model. A new optimization protocol was proposed to accurately detect the motile sperms prior to the sperm tracking process. Since the optimization protocol was imposed in the proposed system, the sperm tracking and velocity estimation processes are improved. The proposed method attained the highest average accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 92.3%, 96.3%, and 72.4%, respectively, when tested on 10 different samples. Our proposed method depicted better sperm detection quality when qualitatively observed as compared to other state-of-the-art techniques.

The Association between Mortality and Male Infertility: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current body of evidence on the relationship between impaired male fertility and the risk of early death through a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based retrospective cohort studies. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to August 2020 according to the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Pooled Risk Ratio (RR), Risk Difference (Δr), Hazard Ratio (HR) and Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) differences among male factor infertility cohorts were compared to fertile/normospermic control populations or to national mortality data. RESULTS: Six studies from 2006 to 2020 met inclusion criteria. Three studies examined male infertility and mortality (ntot = 202,456; ndeaths = 1396), while four studies examined survival in relation to semen parameters (ntot = 59,291; ndeaths = 643). Comparing infertile to fertile men, pooled HR for the risk of death was 1.26 (95%CI:1.01-1.59). Pooled RR and Δr of death for combined oligo- and azoospermic men vs normospermic men was 1.67 (95%CI:1.26-2.21) and 0.37% (95%CI:0.18-0.55%) respectively. When comparing oligo- and normospermic men to azoospermic men, the cumulative HR was 1.31 (95%CI:1.11-1.54) and 2.17 (95%CI:1.55-3.04) respectively. Infertile men had a lower overall risk of death compared to the overall population (SMR, 0.38, 95%CI:0.31-0.45). CONCLUSION: Compared to fertile men, infertile men had a higher risk of death. Moreover, the risk of death increased with increasing severity of semen quality impairment. However, compared to men from the general population, infertile men have a lower risk of death suggesting that social determinants of health are also important.

Age-related changes in human conventional semen parameters and sperm chromatin structure assay-defined sperm DNA/chromatin integrity.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the correlations between male age, traditional semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) in a sufficiently large sample size? DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 18,441 semen samples, with data divided into seven age groups according to male age: ≤25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-50 and ≥51 years. RESULTS: Age was negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm count, motility and HDS, and positively correlated with sperm concentration and DFI (P < 0.001). After 35 years of age, semen volume and total sperm count began to decline. After 30 years of age, motility and HDS decreased consistently. Sperm concentration and DFI increased from 26-30 years of age. DFI was negatively correlated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and normal morphology (P < 0.001) and positively correlated with semen volume and HDS (P < 0.001). HDS was negatively correlated with all parameters (P < 0.001) except semen volume (r = -0.013, P = 0.074) and DFI (r = 0.124, P < 0.001). Patients aged ≥40 years had higher DFI than those aged <40 years in the entire cohort, in the abnormal semen parameters cohort, and in the normal semen parameters cohort (OR 2.145, 2.042, 1.948, respectively, P < 0.001). The ≥40 years age group had a lower HDS than the <40 years age group in the entire cohort and abnormal semen parameters cohort (OR 0.719, 0.677, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ageing is a negative effector of sperm quantity and quality, and routine sperm parameters have weak but significant correlations with sperm DNA/chromatin integrity.

Predictors of reproductive and non-reproductive outcomes of gonadotropin mediated pubertal induction in male patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH).

PURPOSE: To investigate predictors of testicular response and non-reproductive outcomes (height, body proportions) after gonadotropin-induced puberty in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH). DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the puberty induction in CHH male patients, undergoing an off-label administration of combined gonadotropin (FSH and hCG). METHODS: Clinical and hormonal evaluations before and during gonadotropin stimulation in 19 CHH patients genotyped by Targeted Next Generation Sequencing for CHH genes; 16 patients underwent also semen analysis after gonadotropins. RESULTS: A lesser increase in testicular volume after 24 months of induction was significantly associated with: (I) cryptorchidism; (II) a positive genetic background; (III) a complete form of CHH. We found no significant correlation with the cumulative dose of hCG administered in 24 months. We found no association with the results of semen analyses, probably due to the low numerosity. Measures of body disproportion (eunuchoid habitus and difference between adult and target height: deltaSDSth), were significantly related to the: (I) age at the beginning of puberty induction; (II) duration of growth during the induction; (III) initial bone age. The duration of growth during induction was associated with previous testosterone priming and to partial forms of CHH. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a strong genetic background and cryptorchidism, as indicators of a complete GnRH deficiency since intrauterine life, are negative predictors of testicular response to gonadotropin stimulation in CHH. Body disproportion is associated with a delay in treatment and duration of growth during the induction, which is apparently inversely related to previous androgenization.

Distribution of semen examination results 2020 - A follow up of data collated for the WHO semen analysis manual 2010.

BACKGROUND: It is now 11 years since publication of the WHO 2010 guidelines for semen assessment values, and it is critical to determine whether they are still valid and/or whether they should be modified. OBJECTIVES: To utilise data published since 2010 and combine these with data used in the 2010 assessment to provide an updated and more comprehensive representation of the fertile man. This may be utilised to present an updated distribution of values for use by WHO in 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two specific analyses were performed namely, (1) Analysis 1: Examination of published data following publication of WHO 2010 [termed 2010-2020 data]. (2) Analysis 2: Examination of the data used to help formulate the 2010 distribution of values combined with the data from Analysis (1) [termed WHO 2020]. RESULTS: In total, data from more than 3500 subjects, from twelve countries and five continents were analysed. The 5th centile values for concentration, motility and morphology are: 16 × 106 /ml, 30% progressive motility [42% total motility] and 4% normal forms. DISCUSSION: This study presents substantial additional information to establish more comprehensive and globally applicable lower reference values for semen parameters for fertile men although they do not represent distinct limits between fertile and subfertile men. There are still data missing from many countries and, some geographical regions are not represented. Moreover, the number of subjects although significant is still relatively low (<4000). CONCLUSION: These distributions of values now include semen analysis providing a more global representation of the fertile man. Increasing the number of subjects provides robust information that is also more geographically representative.

Analysis of semen quality of 38 905 infertile male patients during 2008-2016 in Wenzhou, China.

This study analyzed the trend in semen quality of infertile male patients in Wenzhou, China, based on the data obtained from 38 905 patients during 2008-2016 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Wenzhou, China). The results showed that only 24.9% of the patients had normal semen quality. For the semen quality of infertile male patients, that of the workers and 40-year-olds was significantly worse than the other occupational and age groups. For all the infertile patients, low semen volume, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia accounted for 8.4%, 50.5%, and 54.1%, respectively. During 2008-2016, the annual mean percentage of fast forward motile spermatozoa, percentage of total forward motile spermatozoa, and percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology decreased linearly with slopes of -2.11, -2.59, and -0.70, respectively. The proportion of patients with asthenozoospermia and multi-abnormal spermatozoa increased during 2008-2016 with slopes of 4.70 and 4.87, respectively, while for low semen volume, it decreased with a slope of -0.47 in the same time period. The proportion of patients with teratozoospermia increased from 2008 to 2011 and from 2011 to 2016 with slopes of 17.10 and 2.09, respectively. In general, the deteriorating trend of semen quality of infertile male patients in Wenzhou was obvious. Future efforts should be made to reveal the adverse influences on semen quality, such as occupational exposure, environmental quality, and living habits. Furthermore, more pervasive reproduction health education is necessary.

Is there a temporal trend in semen quality in Belgian candidate sperm donors and in sperm donors' fertility potential from 1995 onwards?

BACKGROUND: A recent meta-regression analysis reported a temporal trend in sperm count showing a significant decline in sperm count between 1973 and 2011. This decline is thought to affect fecundity. Moreover, semen quality is considered of key interest to public health given its association with all-cause male morbidity/mortality. The issue requires ongoing investigation due to geographical variation in semen quality and methodological errors in semen analysis. OBJECTIVE: To study whether there is a temporal trend in semen quality in Belgian candidate sperm donors and in sperm donors' fertility potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of samples provided by 439 candidate donors and pregnancy outcome in acceptors over a period of 23 years. RESULTS: A total of 807 specimens from 439 candidate donors were examined from January 1995 to December 2017 (Table S1). Sub-analyses performed with regard to TSC from 2010 onwards (weighing) revealed a significant negative trend (R2 =-0.033; ß=-0.18; CI: -0.16 to 0.07; p < 0.05). We found a statistically significant association between year of donation and morphology (R2 = 0.036; ß= -0.19; CI: -0.26 to -0.08; p < 0.0001). The mean (±SD) clinical pregnancy rate per effective donor recruited (n = 104), defined as the number of women with a clinical pregnancy, per number of women who initiated treatment with a donor's spermatozoa, was 68.5 (± 24.9) %. This measure did not show a significant change in function of year of donation. DISCUSSION: Candidate sperm donors represent a select group of men; as such, these results are not to be interpreted as representative for the general population. CONCLUSION: The study did not show a significant change in sperm concentration or fertility potential in sperm donors over a period of 23 years. However, a negative trend was found for TSC from 2010 onwards. Also, the results show a significant decrease in ideal morphology over time.

Effect of Photoperiod with Sunlight at Thermal Stress and Sperm Parameters in Guinea Pigs.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Photoperiod can regulate reproductive physiological processes in mammals, in which improvements in testosterone concentration, testicular volume and seminal quality have been reported. The aim was to evaluate the influence of photoperiod treatments on guinea pigs' spermatic parameters. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Thirty guinea pigs, between males and females, were distributed in two rooms with the photoperiodic treatment of 10 hrs light and 14 hrs dark (PT₁ with artificial photoperiod and PT₂ photoperiod with sunlight by opening windows from 08:00-18:00) and one without any direct light stimulus (PT₀) for 78 days. The temperature and humidity were recorded and the TH index was calculated for each room. The sperms were recovered in Tris base medium from the epididymis of 16 males to determine sperm concentration, motility, kinetic parameters, vitality, HOST, acrosomal integrity and DNA fragmentation. <b>Results:</b> Sperm values in PT₁ and PT₀ were similar but PT₂ obtained values lower in sperm concentration, non-progressive motility, total motility, VCL, ALH, vitality, HOST+, acrosomal integrity, sperm with non-fragmented DNA and no pregnancies were reported (0/5). A 100% pregnancy was observed in PT₀ (4/4) and 50% in PT₁ (2/4). However, precocity was evidenced in PT₁ compared to PT₀. PT₂ recorded higher peaks in temperature (33.8°C, THI 81, considered as thermal stress) compared to PT₀ (32.65°C, THI 81.8) and PT₁ (32.75°C, THI 81.6). <b>Conclusion:</b> An artificial photoperiod can improve sperm characteristics and reproductive precociousness of guinea pigs, unlike the photoperiod with sunlight, which generated low spermiogram values and absence of pregnancy due to thermal stress.

Relationship between male age, semen parameters and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Low semen quality often obligates the use of assisted reproductive technology; however, the association between semen quality and assisted reproductive technology outcomes is uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To further assess the impact of semen quality on assisted reproductive technology outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out at a single academic reproductive medicine center (January 2012-December 2018). Patients undergoing at least one assisted reproductive technology cycle utilizing freshly ejaculated spermatozoa from the male partner were included. We assessed the association between semen quality (as stratified based on WHO 5th edition criteria), paternal age (< or ≥40), and reproductive/perinatal outcomes. To evaluate the differences in assisted reproductive technology outcomes by semen parameters and age, generalized estimating equations were applied for rates of fertilization, pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage, live birth, blast formation, gestational age, and normal embryo biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 2063 couples were identified who underwent 4517 assisted reproductive technology cycles. Average ages of the male and female partners were 39.8 and 37.7, respectively. Lower pregnancy rates were observed in cycles with lower sperm motility (ie <40%; 39.9% vs 44.1%) and total motile count (ie <9 million; 38.3% vs 43.5%). When examining only cycles utilizing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, only a lower motility count was associated with a decline in pregnancy rate (39.1% vs 44.9%). No association was identified between semen quality and gestational age or birth weight. Paternal age was not associated with ART outcomes. However, among assisted reproductive technology cycles in women <40, aneuploidy rate was higher for older men (P < .001). In cycles with women >40, no association between aneuploidy and male age was identified. DISCUSSION: Sperm motility is associated with pregnancy rates, while other semen parameters are not. In cycles in women <40, paternal age is associated with embryo aneuploidy rate. CONCLUSION: Paternal factors are associated with assisted reproductive technology outcomes, and future studies should explore mechanisms by which semen quality is associated with assisted reproductive technology outcomes.