Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Sperm Count”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Serum dioxin, testosterone, and gonadotropins in veterans of Operation Ranch Hand.

We studied whether exposure to Agent Orange and its contaminant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin), during the Vietnam War is related to current testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, or testicular abnormalities, sperm count, sperm abnormalities, or testicular volume. The index subjects were veterans of-Operation Ranch Hand, the unit responsible for aerial herbicide spraying in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971. The referent cohort comprises Air Force veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the same period but were not involved with spraying herbicides. Referents were matched to Ranch Hands on date of birth, race, and military occupation. We found no consistent or meaningful association between serum dioxin levels and any of these outcome variables.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Deleterious effects of khat addiction on semen parameters and sperm ultrastructure.

The semen parameters and sperm ultrastructural morphology have been described in semen samples from two groups of Yemeni subjects. The first 'exposed' group comprised 65 khat addicts, while the second control group included 50 non-khat addict subjects. The mean age was 39.94 +/- 13.85 and 35.72 +/- 11.35 years in the exposed and control groups respectively, without a significant difference. The mean duration of khat addiction among the addicts was 25.34 +/- 12.96 years (range 6.00-48.00). Statistically significant differences were detected between the semen parameters of the two groups. Such parameters, including semen volume, sperm count, sperm motility, motility index and percentage of normal spermatozoa, were lower among addicts. Significant negative correlation was also found between the duration of khat consumption and all semen parameters (r ranged from -0.30 to -0.74). At the transmission electron microscopy level, a counting system was incorporated to compare the numbers of normal spermatozoa with deformed and dead spermatozoa in ultrathin plastic sections. The total mean percentage of deformed spermatozoa was approximately 65%. Different patterns of sperm deformation were demonstrated, and included both the head and flagella in complete spermatozoa, aflagellate heads, headless flagella and multiple heads and flagella. Deformed heads showed aberrated nuclei with immature nuclear chromatin and polymorphic intranuclear inclusions; these were associated with acrosomal defects. The deformed flagella demonstrated numeric aberrations of the axonemal 9 + 2 configuration and structural defects of their associated elements. Persistent cytoplasmic droplets were observed frequently. This study has shown for the first time the deleterious effects of khat addiction on semen parameters in general and sperm morphology in particular of all addicts, especially those who have consumed khat for longer periods of time.

Acrosome↗
PubMed2001

Circannual variation in human semen parameters.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether there were significant monthly variations in the semen parameters (i.e. volume, sperm count, total sperm count, motile and normal sperm count) of men living in a Mediterranean climate area. A total of 10 877 semen analysis results were included. Semen samples were obtained as a part of an initial screening of male partners from couples with infertility problems who were attending our laboratory from 1970 to 2000. Log transformation and cubic root transformation were used to test the sample distribution. Statistical significance was adjusted by year of examination, patient's age and sexual abstinence period by performing covariance analyses. Differences between months were assessed with the Bonferroni post-hoc test. There was an increase in March and a decrease in September in the adjusted mean sperm count (p < 0.0005), total sperm count (p < 0.0005), motile sperm count (p=0.01) and normal sperm count (p=0.002). There were no variations in semen volume in the study period. Monthly changes in semen quality are confirmed in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Embryo score is a better predictor of pregnancy than the number of transferred embryos or female age.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the value of 17 IVF variables, including a new mean score of transferred embryos (MSTE), in predicting pregnancy rate. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Private IVF unit. PATIENT(S): Women who underwent 10,000 embryo transfers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Duration of infertility, type of infertility, female age, rank of IVF attempt, type of ovarian treatment, progesterone level, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, number of retrieved oocytes, number of mature oocytes, maturation rate, number of embryos obtained, fertilization rate, number of transferred embryos, cumulative embryo score (CES), mean score of transferred embryos (MSTE), and pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Outcome of IVF-ET was significantly correlated with female age, type of infertility, number of retrieved oocytes, number of mature oocytes, maturation rate, embryos obtained, fertilization rate, transferred embryos, CES, and MSTE. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that MSTE was a better predictor of pregnancy than the number of transferred embryos and female age. CONCLUSION(S): Embryo quality is the best predictor of pregnancy. The embryo score described herein should be used in IVF-ET programs to choose the best embryos for transfer.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Corrected seminal fructose levels: index of secretory activity of seminal vesicles.

Seminal fructose, sperm count, and sperm motility were measured in 340 men attending an infertility clinic. Seminal fructose correlates negatively with sperm count but not with sperm motility. The best correlation between sperm count and seminal fructose was obtained using the logarithm (log) of sperm count. When seminal fructose was multiplied by the log of sperm count obtaining a value named "corrected fructose," the correlation with sperm count disappeared, and there was positive correlation between corrected seminal fructose and sperm motility. Therefore, corrected seminal fructose level was significantly lower in asthenospermic than in normomotile subjects, irrespective of the sperm count. Corrected seminal fructose, but not seminal fructose levels, was lowered in subjects with either low levels of serum testosterone (less than 3 ng/ml) or evidence of an obstructive process in the reproductive tract. In both situations sperm motility was also reduced. The corrected fructose level was not affected by the presence of varicocele, hyperprolactinemia, or hyperserotoninemia. Measurement of corrected seminal fructose rather than seminal fructose may be a useful marker of the secretory activity of the seminal vesicles.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Inhibiting effect of artificial cryptorchidism on spermatogenesis.

In order to provide a contraceptive method in man, an attempt at inhibition of spermatogenesis was made by means of thermogenesis induced by artificial cryptorchidism. This experimental protocol consists of pushing up the testicles into the inguinal canal and keeping them there, each day during waking hours, by means of an adapted athletic supporter. Fourteen men volunteered for this protocol during a 6- to 12-month period. They all had a normal semen analysis before starting the experiment. The total sperm count, the sperm count per milliliter, the motility, the motile sperm count per milliliter, and the total motile sperm count dropped significantly after the first or second month; they reached their lowest values after the sixth month and remained stable during the next 6 months. At that time the average values reached were a total sperm count of 12 to 34 X 10(6)/ejaculate, a sperm count of 3 to 10 X 10(6)/ml, a motility of 21% to 34%, a motile sperm count of 1 to 3 X 10(6)/ml, and a total motile sperm count of 4 to 12 X 10(6)/ejaculate.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Blood serotonin levels and male infertility.

Seventy men, aged 20-40 years, who were attending an infertility clinic were studied to evaluate associations between seminal quality, whole blood serotonin, and serum testosterone levels. Men with blood serotonin levels greater than 100 ng/ml showed lower sperm counts and sperm motility than those with normal levels of blood serotonin (less than 90 ng/ml). Seminal volume, pH, sperm morphology, fructose, citric acid, and serum testosterone values were similar between groups of patients with different levels of blood serotonin. The levels of blood serotonin correlated best with sperm motility when using a cubic regression analysis. When blood serotonin increased from 50 to 90 ng/ml (normal range), there was an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with excellent motility. However, when serotonin was above 90 ng/ml the percentage of sperm with excellent motility decreased. An inverse exponential relationship was observed between blood serotonin and sperm count. The sperm count reached values of oligozoospermia when blood serotonin was over 100 ng/ml. It would appear that blood serotonin in the normal range is important for sperm motility. Values of serotonin above the normal range could affect negatively both sperm count and motility. These effects were observed in the absence of changes in serum testosterone levels.

Biomarkers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hyperprolactinaemia and hyperserotoninaemia: their relationship to seminal quality.

Seminal quality and levels of blood serotonin (5-HT) and serum prolactin (PRL) were determined in 60 men attending an infertility service. Subjects were grouped according to normal or abnormal accessory sex gland function. Subjects with normal accessory sex gland function were further subdivided into groups with asthenozoospermia, polyzoospermia, normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, or azoospermia. Blood 5-HT levels were significantly higher in oligozoospermics (115.9 +/- 23.7 ng ml-1, P less than 0.05), and asthenozoospermics (90.0 +/- 8.2 ng ml-1, P less than 0.05), than in normals (68.5 +/- 5.3 ng ml-1), whereas serum PRL levels were higher in azoospermics (44.2 +/- 4.7 ng ml-1) than in normozoospermics (15.9 +/- 1.6 ng ml-1, P less than 0.01). Subjects with abnormal accessory sex gland function were also subdivided according sperm count and sperm motility categories. None of these subgroups showed differences in serum PRL levels or blood 5-HT levels. Men with hyperserotoninaemia had higher serum PRL levels, low sperm count, and low motile sperm concentration. Moreover, higher 5-HT levels may be observed in men with normal PRL levels and also associated with normal PRL levels and with hyperprolactinaemia, and hyperprolactinaemia may be observed also associated with normal serotonin levels. Hyperserotoninaemia was related to both diminished sperm count and sperm motility, whereas hyperprolactinaemia was related to low sperm count. When hyperprolactinaemia and hyperserotoninaemia were both present, additive effects were observed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

L-ascorbic acid ameliorates postnatal endosulfan induced testicular damage in rats.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of L-ascorbic acid on postnatal exposure of endosulfan induced testis damage in the rat. Four groups of seven day old male Wistar rats were treated with 3, 6, 9 and 12 mg/kg endosulfan orally (10 pups/group), from postnatal day 7 to 60 at intervals of 24 h. For 2 more groups (n = 10/group), endosulfan (9 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg) was administered along with L-ascorbic acid (20 mg/kg). The sperm morphology, sperm count and sperm motility was analyzed in all the groups on postnatal day 70. Endosulfan significantly affected the testicular function enhancing the incidence of abnormal spermatozoa, decreasing the sperm count and sperm motility in a dose dependent manner. Abnormalities were of both head and tail and increase in their frequency was more than two-fold of the control value. Sperm count abruptly decreased in 12 mg/kg group and sperm motility decreased up to 50% of the control value. L-ascorbic acid has nullified the toxic effects of the pesticide significantly, but not to the control level. Endosulfan induces the testicular damage following postnatal exposure and L-ascorbic acid prevents the adverse effects considerably in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Improvement in human semen quality after oral supplementation of vitamin C.

This study was carried out to monitor the effect of oral supplementation of vitamin C on various semen parameters in oligospermic, infertile, otherwise healthy individuals. Various semen parameters, including sperm motility, sperm count, and sperm morphology, were studied before and after the vitamin C treatment. A total of 13 infertile patients were included. Their ages ranged between 25 and 35 years. They had no genital infection or varicocele. Physical examination and other routine laboratory investigations were normal. General semen analysis revealed oligozoospermia (mean sperm count was 14.3 +/- 7.38 x 10(6) sperms/mL, mean sperm with normal morphology was 43 +/- 7.87%, and mean sperm motility was 31.2 +/- 9.61%). Testicular biopsy was not done. These patients received in an open trial of 1,000 mg of vitamin C twice daily for a maximum of 2 months. Results showed that the mean sperm count was increased to 32.8 +/- 10.3 x 10(6) sperms/mL (P < .001) after 2 months of vitamin C intake. The mean sperm motility was increased significantly to 60.1 +/- 8.47% (P < .001), and mean sperms with normal morphology increased significantly to 66.7 +/- 4.77% (P < .001). This study showed that vitamin C supplementation in infertile men might improve sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology and might have a place as an additional supplement to improve the semen quality towards conception.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between the results of sperm analysis and GIFT.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and GIFT have been proposed as therapeutic approaches in infertile couples where a significant male factor is present. To date, few published data are available relating the success rate of GIFT to the severity of the male factor. In this report the results of the first 172 GIFT cases were analyzed. The overall pregnancy rate was 18.0%. The relationship between the occurrence of pregnancy and sperm count (millions/ml), total sperm count (millions/ejaculate), % motility, motile sperm count (millions/ml) and total motile sperm count (millions/ejaculate) were examined. Significant direct correlations were observed between the clinical pregnancy rate and sperm count, total sperm count, motile sperm count and total motile sperm count. Motile sperm count and total motile sperm count had the best correlations with clinical pregnancy rates, which were over 24.0% in groups with motile sperm counts exceeding 40 X 10(6) cells/ml or total motile sperm counts greater than 100 X 10(6)/ejaculate. The clinical pregnancy rates were 12.5% and 7.7%, respectively, for groups with motile sperm counts under 10 X 10(6)/ml and total motile sperm counts below 25 X 10(6)/ejaculate. No correlation was found between percent motile cells and pregnancy rate. Results of the sperm penetration assay using zona-free hamster eggs were available in a subpopulation of 27 patients. No significant correlation between this sperm penetration assay and pregnancy rate could be demonstrated. The incidence of chemical pregnancy showed a significant negative correlation with the total motile sperm count, indicating a higher incidence of early pregnancy wastage in cases of oligozoospermia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗
PubMed2006

Effect of smoking on semen parameters of men attending an infertility clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of smoking on total sperm count, progressive sperm motility and sperm morphology among couples attending an infertility clinic. METHODS: A total of 223 sperm samples (126 smokers and 97 nonsmokers) from men attending an infertility clinic for routine infertility workup were compared on the basis of standard semen analysis. RESULTS: Cigarette smoking is negatively correlated with progressive motile sperm count (r = -0.1464, p = 0.042), but not with sperm concentration (p = 0.961), total motile sperm count (p = 0.890) and sperm morphology (p = 0.838). Furthermore, packages/ year (cumulative dose of cigarettes) did not correlate with any of the sperm parameters including sperm density (p = 0.976), total (p = 0.559) and progressive (p = 0.406) motile sperm count and sperm morphology (p = 0.449). CONCLUSIONS: Although the effect of smoking on male infertility remains inconclusive, smoking had an adverse effect on the progressive sperm motility, irrespective of total amount of cigarettes smoked per day.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Effects of astragalus membranaceus injection on sperm abnormality in Cd-induced rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of astragalus membranaceus injection on sperm abnormality in Cd-induced rats. METHODS: Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: low concentration abstragalus membranaceus group(A1), high concentration astragalus membranaceus group(A2), cyclophosphamide group (CP), cadmium chloride group (Cd) and control group (C). Astragalus membranaceus injections 5 g/(kg.d) or 10 g/(kg.d) were given intraperitoneally to the rats of the A1, A2, CP and Cd groups. After 7 days, cadmium chloride(0.2 mg Cd/kg body weight) was administrated by intraperitoneal injection stimultaneously to the A1, A2 and Cd group rats. At 22 d after cadmium chloride induction, the rats were sacrificed and the testis coefficient, testicular sperm count, daily sperm production, epididymal sperm count and percentage of sperm abnorality were observed, and the testes and epididymides were studied pathologically. RESULTS: Testis coefficient, testicular sperm count, daily sperm production and epididymal sperm count in the A2 group [(5.68 +/- 1.19), (49.01 +/- 8.78) x 10(6)/g, (10.25 +/- 2.30) x 10(6)/(g.d), (47.51 +/- 22.51) x 10(6)/ml] increased significantly compared with those of the Cd group [(3.11 +/- 0.16), (37.59 +/- 10.63) x 10(6)/g, (5.31 +/- 0.32) x 10(6)/(g.d), (10.89 +/- 2.45) x 10(6)/ml] (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The percentage of sperm abnormality in the A2 group [(7.04 +/- 0.12)%] decreased significantly compared with that of the Cd group [(17.81 +/- 1.55)%] (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: As an antimutagen astragalus membranaceus has practical value in occupational protection against Cd-induced genetic damage.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Protective action of vitamins on the spermatogenesis in lead-treated Swiss mice.

The protective action of vitamins C and E against lead acetate-induced reduced sperm count and sperm abnormalities in Swiss mice has been studied. Intraperitoneal injection of lead acetate (10mg/kg body weight) in the present study stimulates lipid peroxidation in the testicular tissue, indicated by a significant increase in malondialdehyde content in the experimental mice group. This is associated with an increased generation of noxious reactive oxygen species (ROS). Significantly reduced sperm count associated with increased sperm abnormality percentage in the lead-injected mice group compared to controls substantially proves the ongoing damaging effects of lead-induced ROS on developing germ cells. However, intraperitoneal administration of vitamin C (Vit C) at a concentration equivalent to the human therapeutic dose (10 mg/kg body weight) was able to minimize significantly the testicular malondialdehyde content with a concomitant increase in sperm count and significant decrease in the percentage of abnormal sperm population. Vitamin E (Vit E) (100 mg/kg body weight) treatment of a batch of lead-injected mice had a similar effect as Vit C but with a comparatively lower efficacy. On the other hand, coadministration of both vitamins (Vit C + Vit E) at the above mentioned doses to lead-treated mice led to the most significant decline in malondialdehyde content along with elevated sperm count and reduction in the percentage of abnormal sperm population. The protective action and the synergistic action of both vitamins (C and E) against lead-induced genotoxicity are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Ameliorating effect of vitamin C on murine sperm toxicity induced by three pesticides (endosulfan, phosphamidon and mancozeb).

The ameliorating effect of vitamin C (injected intraperitoneally) was evaluated against changes in sperm count and sperm head morphology in mice fed either 3, 6 or 1000 mg/kg body wt/day endosulfan, phosphamidon or mancozeb, respectively. The animals received aqueous preparations of the pesticides and/or vitamin C once daily for 35 consecutive days. All three pesticides, irrespective of their chemical nature, significantly decreased the sperm count, as well as increased the frequency of sperm with aberrant head morphology. Out of the three doses of vitamin C used the middle and higher ones (20 and 40 mg/kg body wt/day, respectively) afforded comparatively more significant amelioration. The lower dose (10 mg/kg body wt/day) of this vitamin (quantitatively equivalent to the human therapeutic dose according to body weight) was least efficacious in both the tests. However, amelioration was never up to the control level in any case. Vitamin C doses, when administered alone, did not produce any adverse effect on sperm count and sperm head morphology.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

A new poultry semen extender. 4. Effect of antibacterials in control of bacterial contamination in chicken semen.

Forty antibacterials were qualitatively and quantitatively tested for controlling aerobic bacterial contamination without affecting viability of semen. Semen samples were collected aseptically, diluted 1:4 with the Beltsville poultry semen extender containing one of 40 antibiotics and held for 0, 24, 48, and 72 hr at 5 C. Semen samples were monitored at each storage interval for bacterial counts, sperm motility, sperm counts, and fertilizing capacity. Gentamicin (2.5 microgram/ml), kanamycin (31.2 microgram/ml), neomycin (62.5 microgram/ml), and tobramycin (2.5 microgram/ml) were the only antibacterials tested which controlled microbial growth without affecting sperm viability for up to 24 hr storage at 5 C. Tobramycin maintained fertility equal to that of the non-antibiotic control up to 24 hr storage. Neomycin maintained higher levels of fertility in semen stored for 48 and 72 hr than in semen of controls to all other treatments for the same storage periods and to undiluted, unstored semen. The conclusion from these studies is that the control of aerobic microbial growth in chicken semen has little influence on the maintenance of sperm viability during low temperature storage.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Value of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Reproducibility--online documentation--prognostic value].

Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) permits a determination of sperm count and sperm motility, improves reproducibility and facilitates the documentation of the results. In addition, new motility parameters can be measured. An analysis of the CASA parameters of 792 ejaculates revealed that their distribution is similar to that of the sperm count and sperm motility obtained by simple microscopic counting. A comparison of CASA parameters with the subsequent conception rate with the aid of Cox's regression analysis, showed that sperm count and total motility are the sole predictors of fertility. Attempts to measure sperm morphology using CASA have already been initiated. It can be noted that CASA analysis is superior to the simple microscopic evaluation of the ejaculate in its objectivity, reproducibility and on-line documentation. However, it does not increase the significance of semen analysis in terms of fertility prognosis.

Documentation↗
PubMed1984

Suppression of spermatogenesis by testosterone in adult male rats: effect on fertility, pregnancy outcome and progeny.

The relationship between decreasing spermatogenic activity and fertility, pregnancy outcome and the progeny is poorly understood. To study this relationship a model where testosterone is given by a sustained release device is used. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received empty or testosterone-filled implants measuring 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 8.0 cm. On Day 90 and again on Day 104 each male was exposed to two females in proestrus. Twenty days later the females were killed. Corpora lutea, implantation sites, resorptions and live normal and abnormal fetuses were counted. Sperm counts in the caput-corpus region of the epididymis in the 3.0-, 4.0- and 8.0-cm testosterone treatment groups were 12.6%, 3.0% and 29.9% of control, while those in the caudal region were 19.8%, 4.0% and 50.8% of control, respectively. The number of females with spermatozoa in the vagina after breeding was significantly diminished only in animals treated with the 4.0-cm testosterone implants (control, 95.8%; 4.0-cm, 50%) while the number of pregnant females per sperm-positive females was markedly reduced in the females mated with both the 3.0-cm and 4.0-cm testosterone implants (control, 82.6%; 3.0-cm, 10.0%; 4.0-cm, 7.7%). There was no effect on the numbers of corpora lutea, on the incidence of pre- or post-implantation loss, malformations, or on the numbers of pups/litter. Individual animals with a decrease in caudal epididymal spermatozoal reserves to less than 5 million, however, are infertile. A decrease in epididymal spermatozoal reserves mediated by testosterone does not cause an increase in teratogenicity in the resultant progeny.

Animals↗