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PubMed2000

Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count? A pilot study.

Classic therapies are usually ineffective in the treatment of patients with very poor sperm density. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of acupuncture on these males. Semen samples of 20 patients with a history of azoospermia were examined by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), with which a microsearch for spermatozoa was carried out. These examinations were performed before and 1 month after acupuncture treatment and revealed that the study group originally contained three severely oligoteratoasthenozoospermic (OTA), two pseudoazoospermic and 15 azoospermic patients. The control group was comprised of 20 untreated males who underwent two semen examinations within a period of 2-4 months and had initial andrological profiles similar to those of the experimental group. No changes in any of the parameters examined were observed in the control group. There was a marked but not significant improvement in the sperm counts of severely OTA males following acupuncture treatment (average = 0.7 +/- 1.1 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate before treatment vs. 4.3 +/- 3.2 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate after treatment). A definite increase in sperm count was detected in the ejaculates of 10 (67%) of the 15 azoospermic patients. Seven of these males exhibited post-treatment spermatozoa that were detected even by LM. The sperm production of these seven males increased significantly, from 0 to an average of 1.5 +/- 2.4 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate (Z = -2.8, P < or = 0.01). Males with genital tract inflammation exhibited the most remarkable improvement in sperm density (on average from 0.3 +/- 0.6 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate to 3.3 +/- 3.2 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate; Z = -2.4, P < or = 0.02). Two pregnancies were achieved by the IVF-ICSI procedure. It is concluded that acupuncture may be a useful, nontraumatic treatment for males with very poor sperm density, especially those with a history of genital tract inflammation.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1983

Patterns of hormones in the seminal plasma correlated with sperm count and motility.

Seminal plasma FSH, LH, prolactin, and testosterone were estimated in 110 men with wives with no pregnancy during the last 24 months and 20 fertile males. Seminal FSH and LH levels were significantly higher in oligozoospermic men (sperm count over 10 X 10(6)/ml) and in males with reduced motility than in fertile men. Males with severe oligozoospermia (sperm count below 10 X 10(6)/ml) had values of gonadotropins similar to fertile subjects. Seminal prolactin levels were significantly elevated in all infertile males. Men with sperm count under 10 X 10(6)/ml had significantly lower seminal testosterone values than the other infertile and fertile men.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone↗
PubMed2002

Higher sperm counts in Southern Sweden compared with Denmark.

BACKGROUND: A common aetiology behind time-related deterioration of male reproductive function, including decline of sperm concentration and rising incidence of testicular cancer and cryptorchidism, has been suggested. Accordingly, a high incidence of testicular cancer and low sperm counts have been observed in Denmark, while in Finland opposite figures were found. This may be due to genetic factors. The incidence of testicular cancer is 50% lower in Sweden than in Denmark. Data on sperm counts in a population of Danish military conscripts have been published and we wished therefore to compare them with semen parameters in a corresponding cohort from Southern Sweden, geographically and genetically very closely related to Denmark. METHODS: A total of 305 military conscripts was recruited and investigated in an identical way as those in the Danish study including a questionnaire, physical examination and semen analysis. RESULTS: Men born and raised in Sweden had a 23% higher mean sperm concentration, a 31% higher mean total sperm count and a 14% higher seminal volume compared with their Danish counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in reproductive parameters between the two genetically very similar populations could not be explained by possible confounders and may be due to unknown environmental or lifestyle-related factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Seasonal variations and age-related changes in human sperm count, motility, motion parameters, morphology, and white blood cell concentration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of any seasonal variations and age-related changes in sperm parameters in andrology patients and fertile donors. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: University medical center andrology laboratory. PATIENT(S): The database of 2,065 semen analyses was retrospectively reviewed for the period of March 1, 1996, to October 31, 1998. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES(S): The sperm count, motility, motile count, progressive straightline velocity, and percentage of rapid sperm were determined with the Hamilton-Thorne IVOS analyzer with standard setup parameters. RESULT(S): There were no significant seasonal differences in the patient's volume, sperm count, motility, motile count, whereas the percentage of rapid sperm and progressive straightline velocity were significantly lower in the spring. Correlation analysis of patient semen parameters versus age implied that as age increases there is a tendency for these semen parameters to decrease, whereas percent tail defects showed a significant positive correlation with age. CONCLUSION(S): Age-adjusted analyses of seasonal variations in andrology patient semen parameters showed significant seasonal variation in the percentage rapid motile sperm and straightline velocity, as well as the percent tail defects, percent immature sperm, and the percent tapered sperm. Such seasonal variations might prove to be clinically relevant and important when designing experimental protocols.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate in human semen: correlation with sperm count and motility.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) have been correlated with traditional semen parameters such as forward motility and sperm count. ATP and ADP were determined by a bioluminescence assay using the luciferin-luciferase reaction. Short boiling of the ejaculate was performed to inactivate phosphatases (ATPases) in the seminal plasma and the sperm tails. Fresh and deep-frozen semen samples from 45 men with oligozoospermia (n = 22) and normal sperm count (n = 23) were evaluated. Freezing of the sperm for 12 weeks did not effect the ATP or ADP content in the spermatozoa as compared to fresh semen. ATP and ADP concentration was in the range of picomoles/microliter and showed a significant correlation with the number of normal sperm per milliliter and a less marked correlation with the sperm motility. ATP and ADP concentration in the spermatozoa can be measured relatively easy and is reproducible. Unlike the monotonous evaluation of sperm motility by a technician, this biochemical method provides an objective parameter for semen quality. These qualities suggest that this method could be a way to determine the fertilizing potential of semen and to relate this to actual pregnancy rates.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1986

[Varicocelectomy for infertility is more effective in cases of sperm count less than 5 million/ml. Apropos of 70 cases].

70 patients, out of a total of 664 infertile subjects with a varicocele, presenting a sperm count of less than 5 X 10(6)/ml, were operated and followed for a mean period of 8 months. 80% of the 70 varicoceles were voluminous, compared with 23% in the general population. There was a statistically significant difference between the presence of a large varicocele and the presence of testicular hypotrophy or a sperm count of less than 5 X 10(6)/ml. Histological examination of 80 testes revealed a defect of maturation in 36% of cases (T2), corresponding to reversible histological lesions. The histological lesions predominantly involved the tube (66%) followed by the basement membrane (52%) and the interstitium (42%). The difference between the pre- and post-operative sperm counts was statistically significant (p less than 0.001). We obtained a 36% paternity rate after a mean post-operative delay of 8 months. The authors consider that the larger the varicocele, the more severe the histological lesions (maturation defect = T2). These cases have a very good chance of post-operative improvement as a result of restoration of spermatogenesis. This improvement is more marked when the lesions of the basement membrane and interstitial lesions are less severe. This concept of a "large pathogenic varicocele" which responds well to surgical cure raises doubts about the concept of sub-clinical pathogenic reflux detected by Doppler examination or by phlebography resulting, far too often at the present time, in an embolisation procedure.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Effect of high altitude exposure on spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm count in male rats.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of exposure to high altitude on spermatogenesis using transillumination technique and sperm count in male rats. In addition, the effect of oral intubation for intragastric administration of vehicle on testicular parameters in adult male rats in a schedule of 42 days was assessed. Male rats were exposed to Cerro de Pasco (Peru) at 4340 m for 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days resulting in a modification of the pattern of the seminiferous tubule stages. At day 3, stages I, IV-V, VI, VII and IX-XI were relatively shorter at high altitude than at sea level. At day 7, stages VIII, IX-XI, XII and XIII-XIV were reduced. At day 14, stages VII, VIII and IX-XI were reduced. At day 21 and 28, stages VIII, XII and XIII-XIV were significantly increased at high altitude. At day 35 an increase in stage XIII-XIV was observed. At day 42, stages II-III, IX-XI and XII were significantly increased at high altitude. Epididymal sperm count was significantly reduced at day 7 of exposure to high altitude and maintained low levels with respect to sea level up to 42 days. In conclusion, high altitude exposure affects spermatogenesis, particularly onset of mitosis and spermiation. This in turn affects epididymal sperm count.

Altitude↗
PubMed1997

Effect of sperm count on the fertility and prolificity rates of meat rabbits.

The effect of sperm count per insemination dose was evaluated on fertility and litter size at birth. In the first experiment, 124 receptive multiparous does were inseminated with 16, 4, 2 and 1 million spermatozoa. Does were slaughtered 12 days after insemination and the number of implanted embryos were recorded. Does inseminated with 16 or 4 million sperm showed no differences in pregnancy rate (90%) and number of implanted embryos (10.7). Does inseminated with 2 million sperm had a lower pregnancy rate (66%, P < 0.05) and does inseminated with 1 million sperm had lower fertility (23%, P < 0.05) and number of implanted embryos (4.9, P < 0.05). In the second experiment, 395 receptive does in different reproductive status were inseminated with 16 or 4 million spermatozoa. No differences were found in fertility (74%) and litter size at birth (9.0). No interactions between sperm count and reproductive status were observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Circanual variation of sperm count and motility in men.

Seasonal variation in rhythmicity of spermatogenesis might be due to external temperature fluctuation which could partially be responsible for decreased sperm counts in summer. Other factor like exposure to light might contribute for the reduction in sperm counts. These facts should be taken into account before diagnosing male fertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Sperm count results from 861 American chemical/agricultural workers from 14 separate studies.

This article presents data from 861 men who have participated in 14 separate occupational studies on testicular function. This population represents the largest series taken from occupational studies. The mean and median sperm counts were 107.1 and 83.0 million/ml of semen, respectively. The percentage of men with sperm counts less than 20 million/ml of semen was 8.7%. No significant differences were noted for age or race. A major issue in occupational studies requiring semen samples is how to successfully recruit the target population to participate. The number of semen samples requested can influence willingness to participate. Data from 137 men, each with three separate sperm counts, indicate that a single sample will suffice for an occupational study.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sperm motility and morphology as changing parameters linked to sperm count variations.

Variations in semen analyses of 177 males over a 1 year period were assessed. The average means of total counts, motility, morphology, total motile count and non-motile % were determined for 5 classes of patients ranging from azoospermic to normospermic. Positive relationships between a falling sperm count, a decrease in motility and total motile counts were seen. Also, increasingly, abnormal forms were found with lower sperm counts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Decline in sperm counts: an artefact of changed reference range of "normal"?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a reported fall in sperm counts during 1940-90 in relation to the reduced lower reference value of "normal" during the same period by assuming the null hypothesis that no change had occurred in the probability distribution of the sperm concentration. DESIGN: Analysis by using various mathematical models of the probability distribution of sperm concentration together with experimental data which supported a model employing a logarithmic distribution. SUBJECTS: 235 men presenting for stimulated in vitro fertilisation at Midland Fertility Services, Aldridge, in 1992 together with samples of 20 ejaculates from each of five men attending the same centre during 1992-3. RESULTS: The effect of the change in lower reference value for the "normal" sperm concentration (from 60 x 10(9) to 20 x 10(9)/l) depended on the probability distribution of the concentration in the population. If that distribution was normal or uniform, then very little of the reported decline was a consequence of the change in lower reference value. If it was heavily skewed, then most or all of the reported decline may have been a consequence of that change. The limited experimental data available indicate that the distribution was heavily skewed. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the actual distribution of sperm concentration in the population, the reported decline in concentration may have been accounted for entirely or in part by the change in lower reference value. The original evidence does not support the hypothesis that the sperm count declined significantly between 1940 and 1990.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

The effect of mesterolone on sperm count, on serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, plasma testosterone and outcome in idiopathic oligospermic men.

Two hundred fifty subfertile men with idiopathic oligospermia (count less than 20 million/ml) were treated with mesterolone (100-150 mg/day) for 12 months. Seminal analysis were assayed 3 times and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) luteinizing hormone (LH) and plasma testosterone were assayed once before treatment and repeated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the initiation of treatment. One hundred ten patients (44%) had normal serum FSH, LH and plasma testosterone, 85 patients (34%) had low serum FSH, LH and low plasma testosterone. One hundred seventy-five patients (70%) had moderate oligospermia (count 5 to less than 20 million/ml) and 75 patients (30%) had severe oligospermia (count less than 5 million/ml). Seventy-five moderately oligospermic patients showed significant improvement in the sperm density, total sperm count and motility following mesterolone therapy whereas only 12% showed improvement in the severe oligospermic group. Mesterolone had no depressing effect on low or normal serum FSH and LH levels but had depressing effect on 25% if the levels were elevated. There was no significant adverse effect on testosterone levels or on liver function. One hundred fifteen (46%) pregnancies resulted following the treatment, 9 of 115 (7.8%) aborted and 2 (1.7%) had ectopic pregnancy. Mesterolone was found to be more useful in patients with a sperm count ranging between 5 and 20 million/ml. Those with severe oligospermia (count less than 5 million) do not seem to benefit from this therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of sperm count in rural population of central India.

Semen samples from 1425 males who visited the Reproductive Biology Unit, M. G. I. M. S., Sewagram during the period from 1984 to 1996 were analysed. The data for sperm count was analysed over the length of period and no change in sperm count was found with passage of time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Low sperm counts as a prognostic factor of progression in stage I non-seminomatous germ cell testicular tumours.

The prognostic factors of disease progression were studied in a prospective study in patients with Stage I non-seminomatous testicular tumours. Patients received no treatment after orchiectomy until progression of disease was confirmed. The results showed a good correlation between sperm counts in semen collected around the time of orchiectomy and progression of disease. While progression of disease occurred in 9 of the 20 patients with sperm counts lower than 10 X 10(6)/ml, it was not found in any of the patients with a sperm count exceeding 10 X 10(6)/ml.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of manual microscopic and computer-assisted methods for analysis of sperm count and motility.

This investigation was conducted to determine which of three methods, manual analysis, and two different commercially available computer-assisted semen analyzers (CASA), was the most reproducible. Semen samples from donors participating in an artificial insemination program (n = 1) and from patients being seen for andrology procedures (n = 12) were acquired at 0.5 h after ejaculation. Each specimen was loaded into one chamber of a 20-microns microcell slide (Conception Technologies, San Diego, CA, USA) and the port was sealed with petroleum jelly to prevent drying of the specimen. The specimens were assessed for sperm count (SC) and motility (MOT) first by manual analysis using an eyepiece reticle and brightfield light microscopy at 400 x total magnification, second using the Hamilton-Thorn 2030 analyzer (Hamilton-Thorn Research, Danvers, MA, USA), and third, using the Cell Trak/S system (CTS; Motion Analysis Corporation, Santa Rosa, CA, USA). Each analysis was repeated five times for each specimen on the same microcell by the same technician. The three methods were compared in terms of means and standard deviations of the SC and MOT over repeated measures-of a specimen using sign tests. The CTS system measured significantly lower sperm counts than the HTM system. MAN was intermediate and not significantly different from either. For MOT, there were no significant differences. Comparison of the standard deviations demonstrated that the three methods were not equally reproducible. For SC, the manual method was significantly less reproducible than the HTM system; the CTS system was intermediate. For MOT, the manual method was less reproducible than either CASA system, both of which were not significantly different from each other. CASA methodology in general provides a more reproducible (less variable) analysis than the manual microscopic method for assessing sperm count and motility.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Decreased sperm count and sexual behavior in mosquitofish exposed to water from a pesticide-contaminated lake.

A number of reproductive abnormalities have been observed in wildlife living in Lake Apopka, Florida, USA. To test whether these abnormalities can be attributed to compounds in the water, we exposed male mosquitofish from Boulware Spring (Alachua County, Florida) to water from Lake Apopka and two reference sites, Orange Lake and Boulware Spring, for 1 month. Subsequently, sperm counts, sexual behavior, and sex hormones (testosterone and 17beta-estradiol) were measured. A lower sperm count and disrupted sexual behavior were found in fish exposed for 1 month to water from Lake Apopka, compared to those at the reference sites. Furthermore, sexual behavior and whole-body testosterone concentrations were correlated, suggesting androgen influences on the behaviors examined. We hypothesize that the presence of contaminants with antiandrogenic and estrogenic action in the water from Lake Apopka are the likely cause of the observed decrease in sperm count and impaired sexual behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Serum concentration of testosterone, epididymal mast cell population and histamine content in relation to sperm count and their motility in albino rats following H2 receptor blocker treatment.

H2 receptor blocker treatment over a period of 2 weeks had been found to cause significant reduction in epididymal tissue mast cell population and tissue histamine content in caput, corpus and cauda regions in albino rats. There was also a highly significant fall of serum testosterone level and sperm count in these segmental fluids collected by micropuncture. The motility of sperms was also greatly reduced and the number of abnormal spermatozoa was found to be increased, the increase being highly significant in the caudal segment. In view of histamine being involved in steroidogenic activity, it appears that reduction in epididymal tissue histamine content following H2 receptor blocker treatment had caused low availability of testosterone to the tissues and thereby the reduction in sperm count and their motility. Increase in number of abnormal sperms particularly in the caudal epididymis is likely to be due to malformation and increased destruction of sperms, because of alteration in epididymal environment due to fall in serum testosterone concentration.

Animals↗