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 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Reproductive effects of alternative disinfectants.

Organohalides formed through the reaction of chlorine and organic compounds in natural and waste waters pose potential health hazards. For this reason, alternative water disinfectants that do not form organohalides are being investigated with great interest. Limited data are available on the health effects, in particular reproductive toxicity effects, of these compounds. In our laboratory, we have examined the reproductive effects of chloramine and chlorine administered by gavage in Long-Evans rats. Animals were treated for a total of 66 to 76 days. Males were treated for 56 days and females for 14 days prior to breeding and throughout the 10-day breeding period. Females were treated throughout gestation and lactation. Following breeding, the males were necropsied and evaluated for sperm parameters and reproductive tract histopathology. Adult females and some pups were necropsied at weaning on postnatal day 21. Other pups were treated postweaning until 28 or 40 days of age. These pups were evaluated for the day of vaginal patency and thyroid hormone levels. No differences were observed between control rats and those rats exposed to up to 5 mg/kg/day chlorine or 10 mg/kg/day chloramine when fertility, viability, litter size, day of eye opening, or day of vaginal patency were evaluated. No alterations in sperm count, sperm direct progressive movement (micron/sec), percent motility, or sperm morphology were observed among adult male rats. In addition, male and female reproductive organ weights were comparable to their respective control groups, and no significant histopathologic changes were observed among chlorine- or chloramine-treated male and female rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Relationship between semen characteristics and fertility in electroejaculated mice.

Ejaculates were obtained from C57BL mice by applying two successive series of electrical stimuli which were delivered via a bipolar rectal probe. The ejaculates thus collected contained fertile spermatozoa as indicated by results from in-vitro fertilization. Once separated from the seminal plasma, ejaculated spermatozoa possessed the same in-vitro fertilization rate as epididymal sperm. Ejaculates were analysed for coagulum weight, ejaculate volume, sperm count, sperm motility, acid phosphatase content and fructose content. Significant differences were present between several of these values for fertile and infertile mice, and values were therefore empirically assigned to represent minimal amounts for 'normal' fertility (1.5 microliters ejaculate volume; 10.2 mg coagulum weight; 2.5 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml; 2.3 x 10(3) motile spermatozoa/ejaculate). One half of the fertile animals had no deficiencies in any of the characteristics measured, whereas 97% of the infertile animals had at least one deficiency. No fertile male had more than 2 deficiencies. These data show that the characteristics of mouse semen obtained by the present method of electroejaculation are related to the fertility status of the animal.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mapping of quantitative trait loci for seminal vesicle mass and litter size to rat chromosome 8.

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the Brown Norway (BN) rat differ significantly in litter size (7.6 versus 4.5 pups). In the HXB and BXH sets of recombinant inbred (RI) strains derived from SHR and BN rats, heritability of litter size and of selected male reproductive parameters such as sperm production, sperm count, sperm morphology and motility, and the mass of the testis, epididymides, and seminal vesicles were estimated and a search was undertaken for quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with these phenotypes. The mass of seminal vesicles was significantly associated with a QTL near the D8Cebr204S21 marker on chromosome 8 (LOD score = 4.1, P = 0.00001); this QTL was responsible for 46% of the genetic variability of the trait. The same gene marker on chromosome 8 also showed a suggestive association with the litter size. Litter size was significantly correlated with the mass of seminal vesicles (r = 0.58, P = 0.003). These findings indicate that the variability in litter size among RI strains may be due in part to differences in the mass of seminal vesicles and it is possible that both mass of seminal vesicles and litter size are determined by a pleiotropic effect of the same QTL on rat chromosome 8.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Doppler sonography of varicocele: long-term follow-up after venography and transcatheter sclerotherapy.

Sixty-eight patients with unilateral left-sided idiopathic varicocele who had not been treated previously were examined with Doppler sonography before and 1, 3, and 12 months after selective venography with balloon occlusion and transcatheter sclerotherapy of the internal spermatic vein. Varicocele and its persistence or recurrence was diagnosed by reflux only. Reflux was differentiated into stop-type and shunt-type by Doppler sonography. The resolution of varicocele was defined by absence of any reflux. The rate of resolution was greatest 3 months after sclerotherapy (49 patients, 72%). The diagnosis of persisting or recurring varicocele at this time does not seem to be justified, however, as in our study both further improvement and deterioration were observed up to 12 months after treatment. Twenty patients (29%) had a persisting or recurring varicocele 12 months after sclerotherapy. Reflux is the parameter of significance for diagnosing varicocele and its persistence or recurrence after therapy. Improvement of clinical aspects of varicocele (e.g., sperm count, sperm motility, and conception rates) depends on therapy of even subclinical varicoceles. Therefore, diagnosis and retreatment of persistent or recurrent varicoceles seems essential. The high sensitivity of Doppler sonography permits adequate assessment of the therapeutic result and evaluation of real rates of persistent or recurrent varicoceles after venography with balloon occlusion and transcatheter sclerotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of exogenous selenium on the testicular toxicity induced by ethanol in rats.

The effects of supplementation of selenium at a dose of 10 microg/ kg body weight were investigated on ethanol induced testicular toxicity in rats. In the present study, four groups of male albino rats were maintained for 60 days, as follows: (1) Control group (normal diet) (2) Ethanol group (4g/kg body weight) (3) Selenium (10 microg/kg body weight) (4) Ethanol + Selenium (4g/kg body weight + 10 microg/kg body weight). Results revealed that ethanol intake caused drastic changes in the sperm count, sperm motility and sperm morphology. It also reduced the levels of testosterone and fructose. The activities of 3betaHSD, 17betaHSD in the testis and SDH in the seminal plasma were also reduced. Lipid peroxidation was also enhanced as the lipid peroxidation products were increased and the activities of the scavenging enzymes were reduced. But on coadministration of selenium along with alcohol all the biochemical parameters were altered to near normal levels indicating a protective effect of selenium. These results were reinforced by the histopathological studies.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1985

[Contribution of urology in the interdisciplinary treatment concept of fertility disordered males].

The most important disturbances of male infertility are described in detail. The varicocele is in 30 to 40% the main cause of subfertility. 106 out of 125 patients are operated because of unability to conceive a child. Postoperatively, the results show a significant improvement of the sperm density, total sperm count, sperm morphology and the initial and late forward progression. 26% of the couples were achieve pregnancies. In obstructive azoospermia microsurgical repair is the preferable method. The obstruction, whether developmental or acquired, is most frequently at the epididymal junction. Vasography is performed intraoperative immediately before the planned reconstruction to demonstrate the block. In only 5 of 12 patients microsurgical repair was possible. The other patients had developmental abnormalities or scarring and long-distant obstruction. The diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in erectile impotence are described, 5 patients are operated by implantation of a penile prosthesis. The most important step in prophylaxis of infertility is the treatment of cryptorchidism. The therapy should be closed at the end of the second year of life. The role of testicular autotransplantation in selected cases is discussed. Because of more recent data suggest that a male factor is present in or contribute to as many as 50 per cent of the infertility problems and the urologist has the best training and expertise to examine and to diagnose disorders of the male reproductive tract, he should be at the forefront of treatment of these problems.

Constriction, Pathologic↗
PubMed1988

[Percutaneous therapy of primary varicocele. 6 years' experience].

Idiopathic varicocele is nowadays accepted as a "social disease" for both its high incidence among young men and its affecting male fertility. Screening is thus required for young people and, above all, early and definitive treatment. We have evaluated the effectiveness of percutaneous sclerotherapy, which has become a standard procedure, in spite of its recent introduction in interventional radiology. One hundred and thirty-nine percutaneous occlusions were performed on 147 patients with varicocele using a sclerosing agent--polidocanol--and stainless steel coils. The failure rate of percutaneous treatment was about 12%. Complications never required hospitalization or surgery; recurrence rate is 3.66%. The patients were followed 3, 6, 12 and 24 months by US and Doppler to survey recurrences, and sperm analysis to estimate the clinical results of percutaneous therapy in infertile patients. Statistical analysis with linear regression of data from spermiograms showed constant improvement in sperm count, sperm motility percentage, and sperm morphology percentage. Fertility index improvement was similar to that of surgical ligation. The radiation dose received by the patient is negligible. Percutaneous therapy represent thus the treatment of choice in case of varicocele: compared with surgery, it offers similar clinical results and a lower recurrence rate, and it can be performed on an outpatient basis. Surgery should be performed only when anatomic variants make percutaneous treatment not feasible.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endocrinological, biophysical, and biochemical parameters of semen collected via masturbation versus sexual intercourse.

In clinical programs of assisted reproduction involving infertile males, it is essential to obtain semen of maximum quality. To evaluate ways of achieving this objective, and to assess the fertilizing capacity of the sperm, six semen samples were collected from each of 38 infertile men via masturbation. Six more samples were then collected from each man at sexual intercourse using a semen collection device (SCD). We confirmed that the volume of seminal plasma, total sperm count, sperm motility, and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa were significantly higher in samples collected at intercourse than masturbation, as reported previously. In addition, the markers of the secretory function of the prostate and the outcome of sperm function tests (hypoosmotic swelling test, acrosin assay, and sperm penetration assay) were significantly higher for the samples collected at intercourse. There were no significant differences in markers of the secretory function of the seminal vesicles and epididymis between the samples. The improved spermatozoal parameters in the samples collected at intercourse may reflect a higher prostatic secretory function at that time. There were no significant differences in the serum concentrations of gonadotropins, or in the serum or seminal plasma concentrations of testosterone, before or after masturbation or sexual intercourse. Therefore, the differences in prostatic secretory function and semen parameters may not be attributed to differences in hormonal levels. Semen collection during intercourse using an SCD appears to be the method of choice for selecting semen samples for artificial insemination.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reproductive history and semen analysis in prevasectomy fertile men with and without varicocele.

A group of 598 allegedly fertile men requesting vasectomy were investigated; varicocele was found in 97 (16.2%) of these men. The mean ages and age distributions of men with and without varicocele were not significantly different. Reproductive histories (number of pregnancies, living children and spontaneous abortions, as well as incidence of present pregnancy) were similar in both groups. The average seminal characteristics (semen volume, sperm count, total sperm count, percentage of motile spermatozoa, quality of motility, morphology) were not different for men with and without varicocele, except for a slight, but significantly higher incidence of oval-headed sperm in men without varicocele. However, the incidence of varicocele was significantly higher in men with sperm counts below 40 million/ml. Three important observations may be made from this study: 1) the incidence of varicocele in this prevasectomy population was similar to that reported for the general population, but lower than the incidence reported for male partners of infertile couples; 2) in this population of allegedly fertile men, the presence of a varicocele did not significantly affect reproductive performance; 3) even though the incidence of varicocele was higher in men with sperm counts below 40 million/ml, the average seminal characteristics were not different in men with and without varicocele.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of pre-exposure of mouse testis with low-dose (16)O8+ ions or 60Co gamma-rays on sperm shape abnormalities, lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pre-exposure of mouse testis with low-doses of (16)O8+ ions or 60Co gamma-rays on sperm shape abnormalities, lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Testes of the B6C3F1 hybrid strain mice were pre-irradiated with 0.05 Gy of (16)O8+ ions or 60Co gamma-rays and then after 4 h given a test irradiation with 2 Gy of the same radiation type. SOD activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the testes were determined by spectrophotometric and TBA methods respectively at 4 h after irradiation. Testis weight, sperm count and sperm morphology were analysed at day 35 after irradiation. RESULTS: Compared with controls, there was a significant increase in SOD activity and a significant decrease in TBARS level of pretreated testes. Testis weight loss, sperm count reduction and sperm abnormalities were significantly lower in the pretreated testes. The bioeffects of a 2 Gy dose of (16)O8+ ions relative to 60Co gamma-rays were 1.84 +/- 0.28 for testis weight, 1.22 +/- 0.25 for sperm count and 1.29 +/- 0.10 for sperm abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that pre-exposure of testes with a low dose of heavy ions or gamma-rays renders the organ more resistant to subsequent high-dose irradiation. The increase of SOD activity and the decrease of lipid peroxidation levels induced by low-dose ionizing irradiation may be involved in this resistance. The effects with heavy ion irradiation were greater than with gamma-rays.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Changes in semen quality and in vitro sperm capacitation during various frequencies of semen collection in dogs with both asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia.

Eight male dogs with both asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia were used in this study. In experiment 1, semen was collected 10 times at intervals of 48 hr, 24 hr and 12 hr in 4 of the 8 dogs, and the semen quality was evaluated. In experiment 2, semen was collected 5 times at 24-hr intervals in the other 4 dogs. The spermatozoa collected on day 1 and day 5 were incubated for 4-6 hr in Canine Capacitation Medium, and the percentages of hyperactivated sperm (%HA), acrosome-reacted sperm (%AR), and the zona pellucida-binding sperm count (ZP sperm count) were assessed. The results of experiment 1 showed that the percentage of motile sperm increased and the percentage of abnormal sperm decreased markedly as the intervals between semen collections became shorter. When semen was collected at 12-hr intervals, the percentage of motile sperm increased from about 65%, the value before frequent collection was started, to about 80%, and the percentage of sperm with abnormal tails decreased from 30% to 15%. In experiment 2, the percentages of HA and AR, and the ZP sperm count in specimens collected on day 5 were higher than those in specimens collected on day 1, and the differences in % HA and in ZP sperm count were significant (P<0.05). The results demonstrated that sperm motility, abnormality, and potential fertility in dogs with asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia can be temporarily improved by frequent semen collection.

Acrosome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rat epididymal sperm motion changes induced by ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, sulfasalazine, and 2,5-hexandione.

Epididymal sperm was examined using the Hamilton-Thorne Sperm analyzer (HTM-IVOS, version 10.6) in male rats treated with known male reproductive toxicants that act by different mechanisms to detect effects on sperm motion. Three agents known to produce changes in sperm motion at high exposure levels were administered at lower levels. Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGEE), sulfasalazine (SASP), and 2,5-hexandione (2,5-HD) were administered by oral gavage to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats at 250 or 500 mg/kg/day, at 300 or 600 mg/kg/day, or at 100 or 250 mg/kg/day, respectively. The males were treated with EGEE, SASP, and 2,5-HD for 35, 28, and 28 days, respectively. The males treated with EGEE and SASP were mated with untreated females to assess male fertility. All males were examined for body weight, testicular and epididymal weight, epididymal sperm count, and sperm motion. The sperm motion parameters included percentage of motile sperm, percentage of progressively motile sperm (progressive motility), curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), linearity (LIN), and straightness (STR). For the male rats treated with SASP, no treatment-related effects on percentages of motile sperm or sperm count were observed despite impaired male fertility. However, abnormal motion of epididymal sperm from the SASP treated males was detected by a significant reduction in mean progressive motility, VAP, and ALH, and an increase in BCF and STR. For the males treated with 2,5-HD for 4 weeks, most parameters generated by the HTM-IVOS indicated decreased sperm motion despite no remarkable changes in testicular weight, epididymal weight, or sperm count. In the EGEE-treated males at 250 mg/kg/day for 5 weeks, abnormal motion of epididymal sperm was detected by decreased progressive motility and increased BCF, although there were no treatment-related effects on testicular weight or male fertility. Progressive motility was decreased in all treated groups and the difference from the control value was of the greatest magnitude among the sperm motion parameters generated by the HTM-IVOS. Velocity parameters (VAP, VSL, VCL) responded sensitively to abnormal sperm motion in the SASP and 2,5-HD studies. In spite of decreased sperm motion, BCF values were significantly increased in all treated groups except the 7-week EGEE high-dose group, where there were no motile sperm to evaluate. ALH was significantly decreased in the treated groups in which remarkable effects on sperm motion were noted. There were no significant changes in ALH at the low-dose of EGEE at which only mild effects on sperm motion were observed. STR was increased for epididymal sperm from the males treated with SASP when compared with the controls. For the males treated with EGEE and 2,5-HD, however, STR was decreased when compared with the controls. There were no significant differences in LIN in any of the groups treated with SASP, in which remarkably reduced sperm motion was detected by the other parameters. In conclusion, among the parameters generated by the HTM-IVOS, progressive motility was significantly decreased in all treated groups and the most valuable for detecting slight changes in sperm motion induced by these three different target toxicants. Further investigation with a larger set of compounds is needed to evaluate which IVOS parameters are the most sensitive in detecting motion changes.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Ten-year variation in semen parameters and sperm deoxyribonucleic acid integrity in a healthy fertile man.

OBJECTIVE: To report parameters in semen samples and sperm DNA integrity in a healthy fertile volunteer over a 10-year period. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. INTERVENTION(S): None. PATIENT(S): Semen samples from a nonsmoking healthy male volunteer of proven fertility aged from 40 to 50 years were collected and analyzed over a decade. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen parameters (sperm count, total sperm count, percentage of progressive motility grades a+b, morphology, and percentage of living spermatozoa) and sperm DNA integrity, measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and terminal uridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULT(S): Median (min-max) value of total sperm count was 330 (126-511) million. Motility and vitality presented a median of 50% (40%-75%) and 78% (53%-92%), respectively. Among semen parameters, morphology and vitality showed the lowest within-subject coefficient of variation (CV(W)) and the total sperm count the highest (8.1% and 12.0% vs. 34.9%). Median values of DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) were 12.7% (7.9%-16.5%) and 6.5% (5.5%-8.2%), respectively. Sperm DNA fragmentation presented a median value of 8.9%, a minimum value of 1.4% and maximum value of 18.6%. Compared with TUNEL data, SCSA parameters (DFI and HDS) showed less variation over the data collection period (47.4% vs. 22.4% and 13.0%, respectively). CONCLUSION(S): Our data show that in this healthy fertile volunteer, semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity remained normal, and no trend was observed over the study period. More interestingly, in this subject aged from 40 to 50 years old, sperm nucleus status presented less than 20% of sperm DNA fragmentation over a decade.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

A further study of seminal plasma: lactate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase-X activities and diluted semen absorbance.

Activities of total lactate dehydrogenase, which plays an important role in providing energy for cell metabolism, lactate dehydrogenase-X, an isoenzyme of lactate dehydrogenase supposed to be specific for germinal epithelium activity, diluted semen absorbance and some other properties have been measured in 51 seminal plasma samples. Aiming to study its clinical use as a marker of seminiferous epithelium activity, determination of isoenzyme-X and investigation of correlation between it and the spermiogram properties were carried out. Besides lactate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase-X activity, their ratio and diluted semen absorbance were correlated with the different properties of the spermiogram, the best correlation of the enzymes being obtained with the total sperm count and motile sperm count. Correlation of diluted semen absorbance with the total sperm count and motile sperm count was also noted, whereas it did not correlate with sperm concentration and motility rate. The data suggests the clinical utility of these properties as reliable markers for both germinal activity and spermatozoid quality when "total sperm count" and "mobile sperm count" are used to define sperm properties instead of just sperm concentration and motility rate.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1998

Interaction of blood lead and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase genotype on markers of heme synthesis and sperm production in lead smelter workers.

The gene that encodes gamma-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) has a polymorphism that may modify lead toxicokinetics and ultimately influence individual susceptibility to lead poisoning. To evaluate the effect of the ALAD polymorphism on lead-mediated outcomes, a cross-sectional study of male employees from a lead-zinc smelter compared associations between blood lead concentration and markers of heme synthesis and semen quality with respect to ALAD genotype. Male employees were recruited via postal questionnaire to donate blood and urine for analysis of blood lead, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), urinary coproporphyrin (CPU), and ALAD genotype, and semen samples for semen analysis. Of the 134 workers who had ALAD genotypes completed, 114 (85%) were ALAD1-1 (ALAD1) and 20 (15%) were ALAD1-2 (ALAD2). The mean blood lead concentrations for ALAD1 and ALAD2 were 23.1 and 28.4 microg/dl (p = 0.08), respectively. ZPP/heme ratios were higher in ALAD1 workers (68.6 vs. 57.8 micromol/ml; p = 0.14), and the slope of the blood lead ZPP linear relationship was greater for ALAD1 (2.83 vs. 1.50, p = 0.06). No linear relationship between CPU and blood lead concentration was observed for either ALAD1 or ALAD2. The associations of blood lead concentration with ZPP, CPU, sperm count, and sperm concentration were more evident in workers with the ALAD1 genotype and blood lead concentrations >/= 40 microg/dl. The ALAD genetic polymorphism appears to modify the association between blood lead concentration and ZPP. However, consistent modification of effects were not found for CPU, sperm count, or sperm concentration.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Lactate and malate dehydrogenase and alpha-esterases in oligospermia.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase, and alpha-esterase were studied electrophoretically in a total of 99 semen samples obtained from normal, vasectomized, oligospermic, and infertile males. The enzymatic patterns were compared with total sperm count and percentage sperm motility. Lactate dehydrogenase X was absent in semen samples from oligospermic as well as vasectomized males. An extra LDH band (between the second and third LDH bands) was detectable in samples which had a low sperm count but higher motility (80 to 90%). This extra band was absent in samples with higher sperm count regardless of the level of percentage motility, suggesting that the extra band possibly may be related to motility factors of low sperm count but not normal sperm count. The fastest moving alpha-esterase bands were absent in samples from oligospermic or vasectomized males. These bands were also absent in samples from infertile patients having a very low sperm count. It is not clear whether the fast-moving esterase bands are related to sperm count or possible differences in hormonal levels of individuals with low or zero sperm count samples. The patterns of malate dehydrogenase did not differ in individuals with zero, low, or normal sperm count.

Electrophoresis, Starch Gel↗
PubMed1991

Dose dependent effects of inhaled ethylene oxide on spermatogenesis in rats.

Male Wistar rats were exposed to ethylene oxide (EO) at concentrations of 50, 100, or 250 ppm for six hours a day, on five days a week for 13 weeks. Dose effect relations of inhaled EO on spermatogenesis were evaluated from testicular and epididymal weights, histopathological changes and lactate dehydrogenase X (LDH X) activity in the testis, and sperm counts and sperm head abnormalities in the epididymis. At 250 ppm, a decrease in epididymal weights, slight degenerations in the seminiferous tubules, decreased sperm counts, and increased numbers of abnormal sperm heads in the tail of the epididymis were found; these were not seen at lower doses. When the abnormal sperm heads were classified into immature types and teratic types, the number of immature heads increased only at 250 ppm. On the other hand, the teratic type had increased at doses of 50 and 100 ppm EO when compared with the control group. Hence, subchronic inhalation of EO at low concentrations affects spermatogenesis in rats.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed2005

Is semen quality affected by male body fat distribution?

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of semen parameters, sexual function-related hormones and waist/hip ratio. Eighty-one selected patients presenting with infertility were examined. Weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured, and reproduction-related hormone levels were determined. Semen was analysed by conventional methods. Semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, total sperm count, total motile sperm cell number, rapid progressive motile sperm count and reproduction-related hormone levels [follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, testosterone, 17beta-oestradiol and sexual hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)]. Significant correlations were found: (i) weight, waist circumference and hip circumference versus testosterone level, SHBG level, and testosterone/17beta-oestradiol ratio; (ii) hip circumference versus sperm concentration; (iii) waist circumference and hip circumference versus sperm count, total motile sperm cell number and rapid progressive motile sperm count; (iv) weight versus total sperm count and total motile sperm cell number; (v) waist circumference and hip circumference versus prolactin level (positively) and SHBG (negatively); (vi) waist circumference and waist/hip ratio versus semen volume. It can be concluded that the waist/hip ratio is correlated with the reproductive hormone levels. Although both the waist circumference and hip circumference correlated with the semen characteristics, the waist/hip ratio did not.

Adult↗