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 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Semen quality in workers with long-term lead exposure: a preliminary study in Taiwan.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the semen quality from five workers in a lead battery manufacturing factory. Blood and semen samples were taken to measure lead concentrations. These samples were compared with samples from eight workers not exposed to lead, based on age, marital status and duration of marriage. Results showed lead concentrations in blood and semen were significantly higher in the exposed group. However, comparisons based on sperm count, motility and viscosity showed no significant differences. There was a significant negative relationship for the exposed group between motility and blood-lead and semen-lead concentrations. Comparing sperm count and blood-lead and semen-lead concentrations, there was a non-significant negative relationship. Semen-lead concentrations and semen pH were significant factors that explained the semen count and semen motility results. Prolonged exposure to lead may have harmful effects on the body's reproductive functions.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Bovine cervical mucus penetration by human spermatozoa: lack of association with conception.

Penetration of bovine cervical mucus (BCMP) by human spermatozoa has been reported to be a test that may aid in assessment of male fertility. We determined the predictive value of BCMP for conception in 127 infertile couples. Fresh semen and swim-up specimens were tested with the Penetrak assay. Out of 127 patients 16 (13%) achieved pregnancy with 6 months to 2 years of follow-up. In the 62 men with sperm counts of greater than 20 million/ml and motility of greater than 60%, 55 (89%) had adequate BCMP while adequate penetration was found in only eight of 24 (33%) with both sperm count and motility below these values (p less than 0.001). A normal BCMP did not predict pregnancy, and a reduced BCMP had no prognostic value in designating couples not likely to conceive. The comparison of penetration values for semen following swim-up suggests that this preparation may improve the correlation of BCMP with fertility. These results indicate that the semen parameters of sperm density and percent motility predicted spermatozoal performance in the BCMP assay, and that the assessment of BCMP did not predict the likelihood of pregnancy.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Semen quality in a Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in relation to estrus of a nearby resident female panda.

Semen quality was determined in a sexually mature male Giant Panda, electroejaculated 13 times during a 5-year interval, before, during and after estrus of a female Giant Panda housed nearby. Testis volume and plasma testosterone concentrations were also measured. Mean testis volumes were 1223.0 +/- 64.7(S.E.M.)cm3 (before estrus), 1213.2 +/- 218.2 cm3 (during estrus), and 1360.2+/-160.4 cm3 (after estrus). Compared to before and during estrus in the female, testis volume decreased 70 days after estrus and there was no projectile ejaculation. The mean semen volume and sperm count were 2.2+/-0.7 mL and 8.3 +/- 3.1 x 10(8) before estrus, 2.4 +/- 0.9 mL and 5.7 +/- 0.9 x 10(8) during estrus, and 1.3 +/- 0.3 mL and 8.1 +/- 1.7 x 10(8) after estrus, respectively. The semen volume, sperm count, and testis volume markedly differed from 90 days before estrus until 66 days after estrus, whereas no marked differences in sperm motility, sperm viability, and proportion of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa were observed. Plasma testosterone concentrations were elevated both before and during estrus (0.62 +/- 0.23 ng/mL and 0.95 ng/mL), but decreased substantially after estrus (0.20 +/- 0.0 ng/mL). We inferred that spermatogenesis was active in this male panda from approximately 3 months before estrus to 2 months after estrus in the adjacent female.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of lisnopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on spermatogenesis in rats.

The role of ACE inhibitors (Lisinopril) in reproductive function remains controversial. Some benefits seem to be derivable even in non-hypertensive males with low doses. This study was done using rat model to establish this fact. Male rats were divided into different groups to receive different doses of lisinopril. A control group received no drugs. The mean arterial pressure fell the most with 5 mg of lisinopril. The greatest increase in sperm count and motility was recorded for this same group. This response was dose dependent, falling as the drug dose fell. Lisinopril appeared to, in a dose dependent manner, improve sperm count and motility. In low doses, there is no significant change in arterial pressure. Infertile males with poor quality semen could benefit from a low dose of ACE inhibition. Where they are also hypertensive, ACE inhibition would be an appropriate first line treatment.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1985

Cross-sectional study of semen parameters in a large group of normal Chinese men.

Testicular size, semen characteristics and serum reproductive hormone levels were studied in 1239 normal Chinese men. The mean testicular size of 17 ml in this group of subjects was similar to other reports in Orientals but was smaller than that reported in Caucasians. Semen volume, and the sperm count, motility and morphology were comparable to those described for Caucasian subjects. The cervical mucus penetration test (Kremer's test) and the zona-free hamster egg penetration test were also studied in some of the subjects. Age showed a positive correlation with the serum levels of FSH and LH, which were highly correlated with each other. Sperm concentration and the total sperm count were positively correlated with testicular volume, the length of abstinence, the % of sperm with an oval head, and the zona-free hamster egg penetration test, but were negatively correlated with serum FSH. Sperm motility was negatively correlated with the duration of abstinence but was positively correlated with the % normal sperm. The results constitute a normal data base from Chinese men for comparison with studies in male infertility and fertility regulation.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Antioxidant intake is associated with semen quality in healthy men.

BACKGROUND: We seek to determine whether dietary and supplement intake of specific micronutrients (zinc and folate) and antioxidants (vitamins C, E and beta-carotene) is associated with semen quality. METHODS: Ninety-seven healthy, non-smoking men provided semen and were interviewed. Average daily nutrient intake from food and supplements was derived from a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Intake levels were summarized as low, moderate and high. Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, progressive motility and total progressively motile sperm count (TPMS) were measured. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, a high intake of antioxidants was associated with better semen quality but, in almost all cases, there was no clear dose relationship in that moderate intake groups had the poorest semen quality. For example, positive associations were observed between vitamin C intake and sperm number as reflected in the higher mean count (P=0.04), concentration (P=0.05) and TPMS (P = 0.09); between vitamin E intake and progressive motility (P = 0.04) and TPMS (P = 0.05); and between beta-carotene intake and sperm concentration (P = 0.06) and progressive motility (P = 0.06). Folate and zinc intake were not associated with improved semen quality. CONCLUSIONS: In a convenience sample of healthy non-smoking men from a non-clinical setting, higher antioxidant intake was associated with higher sperm numbers and motility.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Adverse effects of exposure to p-nonylphenol on reproductive system of young male rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the adverse effects of exposure to p-nonylphenol (NP) during gestation and lactation on the reproductive system of young male rats. METHODS: Pregnant rats were administrated with p-nonylphenol, at doses of 0, 50, 100 [symbol: see text] 200 mg/kg of body weight, respectively, by gavage from the first day of gestation to the day of weaning, i.e., the 21st day after birth. The young male rats were killed at the age of 70 days and some indices related to their reproductive system (i.e., weight of the gonad, sperm counts of the epididymis, histology of the testes, et al.) were analyzed. RESULT: Weights of the testes and prostate gland decreased with the increase doses of exposed NP, their weights of the testes of 2.86, 2.98, 2.59 and 2.44 g, and those of the prostrate gland of 0.26, 0.23, 0.20 and 0.19 g, respectively. The same trend existed in daily production of sperm in the testes and sperm counts of the epididymis, with 22.46, 18.46, 17.43 and 17.26 x 10(6) sperm per gram of the testis, with sperm counts of 46.85, 39.74, 35.57 and 31.36 x 10(6) per gram of the epididymis tail. Separation of prepuce occurred on the 47.83th days and 46.31th days in the rats exposed to 200 mg/kg of NP and in the control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: NP could decrease their ability of spermatogenesis in the rats without morphological changes of spermatogenic cells of the testes and epididymis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Impact of Cu and Fe concentrations on oxidative damage in male infertility.

Oxidative stress in the reproductive system is thought to have an effect on the fertilizing ability of sperm. The purpose of this study was to assess the interaction of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) ions in suspected subfertile and fertile male groups and to find out the relationships of the semen parameters (sperm count, motility, and abnormal morphology), glutathione, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species with these variables. Semen and blood obtained from 60 subfertile men and from 40 fertile volunteers were examined. The sperm count and motility in the subfertile male group were found lower than those in fertile male group (p < 0.001). Cu levels in serum and seminal plasma in the subfertile male group were significantly higher than those in the fertile male group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). There was also a significant increase in the Fe level of seminal plasma in the subfertile male group (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the Fe level of serum in the subfertile male group. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Cu and Fe might be mediators of the effects of oxidative damage and play an essential role in spermatogenesis and male infertility; the determination of Fe and Cu levels in serum and seminal plasma during infertility investigation is recommended.

Copper↗
PubMed1976

Elevated urinary levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and its relationship among levels of plasma follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and testicular pathology in patients with severe oligospermia and/or azoospermia.

Plasma follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and urine 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid levels were measured in 300 patients seen at an andrology clinic. Testicular biopsies were obtained from many of the severely oligospermic or azoospermic patients. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone concentrations were related inversely to sperm cell concentration, while plasma testosterone concentrations were depressed as the sperm count decreased to 5 times 106 per ml. The urine levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid followed the same pattern as follicle stimulating hormone and were elevated in the group of individuals with sperm counts less than 10 times 106 per ml. Elevations in 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid often were associated with abnormalities in the testicular biopsy. Only 30 per cent of the patients who had elevated 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid also had elevated follicle stimulating hormone or depressed testosterone levels. The factors responsible for the elevation in 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid levels as the sperm count declines remain unclear.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone↗
PubMed1986

[Contribution of the male component to the infertility of couples in Kinshasa (Zaïre)].

A prospective study was carried out on infertility of the couple in Kinshasa by analysing the male component as derived from 278 sperm counts carried out on 95 patients. In 36.8% of couples the man was responsible. The mean age was 32.42 years of age +/- 4.89 (Standard Deviation). Previous gonorrhoea was responsible for this state of affairs in 47.3% of cases. The physical examination was marked by a large percentage of abnormal testes (36.8%) and of varicoceles in 18.9% of cases. The parameters that were most changed in the sperm counts were the total number in 72.6%, the distribution of the types of sperm in 51.7% and the pH of the seminal plasma in 40%.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Is there really a decrease in sperm parameters among healthy young men? A survey of sperm donations during 15 years.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to measure changes in semen quality and quantity in young healthy sperm donors in Jerusalem over time. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of semen parameters over 15 years using linear regression analysis, in a single sperm bank in a tertiary university center. Study population consisted of 188 young, healthy medical students, aged 20 to 30 years, who donated sperm samples for Artificial insemination between 1980 and 1995. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant changes in semen concentration and motility during the study period. The mean semen volume increased by 0.1 ml (5.1%) per year (P < 0.0001), with a concomitant mean rise of 5.8 x 10(6) (7.7%) per year in total motile sperm count. The percentage normal morphology decreased by a mean of 1.04% per year during the entire period (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: During the past 15 years, there has been an increase in total motile sperm count, secondary to an increase in semen volume, and a decline in normal morphology that are independent of the age and the duration of abstinence in fertile men.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Elevated urinary levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and its relationship among levels of plasma follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and testicular pathology in patients with severe oligospermia and/or azoospermia.

Plasma follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and urine 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid levels were measured in 300 patients seen at an andrology clinic. Testicular biopsies were obtained from many of the severely oligospermic or azoospermic patients. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone concentrations were related inversely to sperm cell concentration, while plasma testosterone concentrations were depressed as the sperm count decreased to 5 times 10(6) per ml. The urine levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid followed the same pattern as follicle stimulating hormone and were elevated in the group of individuals with sperm counts less than 10 times 10(6) per ml. Elevations in 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid often were associated with abnormalities in the testicular biopsy. Only 30 per cent of the patients who had elevated 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid also had elevated follicle stimulating hormone or depressed testosterone levels. The factors responsible for the elevation in 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid levels as the sperm count declines remain unclear.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Conception rate according to semen characteristics in a series of 15 364 insemination cycles: results of a multivariate analysis.

The study was undertaken on 1438 ejaculates from 342 donors. The sperm count, volume, prefreeze and postthaw motility were evaluated for each ejaculate and the morphology for the first ejaculate of each donor. The success rate was found to increase steadily with the sperm count, prefreeze and postthaw motility. For the volume and percentage of all abnormal forms, the success rates are stable up to 5,5 ml and 40% respectively and then decrease. Among all the abnormal forms considered, only the microcephalics and irregular heads were found to be linked to the success rate. As most of the studied characteristics are correlated, a multiple stepwise regression was completed in order to determine the proper role of each variable. The most predictive variable is the postthaw motility. The second variable is the percentage of microcephalics. The other variables bring no further information. In particular, at a given postthaw motility, the prefreeze motility and consequently, the loss in motility have no influence on the success rate.

Buffers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of stress on semen quality in semen donors.

Fifty-three donors with good semen quality were studied monthly for sperm count and motility over 9 to 22 months. Medical students (n = 31) in freshman and sophomore years subjected to the stress of twice-yearly examinations were compared with nonstudents (n = 22) not exposed to common stressful periods. Sperm count and quality (count X motility) for the student group were significantly elevated during examination months versus nonexamination months. Controls demonstrated no differences over these months. Differences between individuals, donor selection factors, and the effects of variable degrees of stress on sperm transport may have contributed to this finding.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sperm chromatin structure is altered in cynomolgus monkeys with environmentally relevant blood lead levels.

Exposure to lead has been associated with a variety of adverse reproductive outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, impaired fecundity, and sterility. Although decreased sperm counts and serum testosterone levels have been found in men with occupational lead exposure, animal experiments suggest that fertility may be impaired at blood lead levels that have no apparent effect on reproductive hormone levels or sperm concentration. Consequently, this study investigated the effect of chronic lead treatment on semen quality in healthy cynomolgus monkeys aged 15-20 years with mean (+/-SD) blood lead levels of 10 +/- 3 micrograms/dL (range 6-20 micrograms/dL, n = 4) and 56 +/- 49 micrograms/dL (range 22-148 micrograms/dL, n = 7) compared to a reference group with blood lead levels < 1.0 microgram/dL (n = 8). Blood and semen samples were collected once from each monkey in five different months. Serum testosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, and lead effects on chromatin structure were analyzed by flow cytometry. There were no effects of treatment on circulating levels of testosterone or parameters of semen quality such as sperm count, viability, motility, and morphology. However, significant (p < 0.03) treatment-related effects were seen on SD alpha t values in the treated vs control animals. Group comparisons also revealed that the effects of chronic lead exposure were significant (p < 0.05) for both lead-exposed groups compared to the reference group. We conclude that chronic lead exposure alters sperm chromatin structure at blood lead levels relevant to the human population and in the absence of effects on endocrine function and traditional measures of semen quality.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human sperm penetration in bovine cervical mucus. Clinical studies I.

Penetration of spermatozoa in bovine cervical mucus (BCM) from two groups of men was investigated and correlated with the different parameters of spermograms from these same subjects. Sperm penetration and motility were statistically greater in men of proven fertility than in men from infertile couples in which a female cause of infertility had been ruled out. The percentage of cases with sperm penetration greater than or equal to 15 mm was significantly greater in volunteers of proven fertility than in the group of men from infertile couples (100% and 33%, respectively). A marked correlation was observed between sperm penetration and sperm count (p less than 0.001) and between sperm penetration and motility (p less than 0.0001). In a follow-up of the group of men from infertile couples, it was found that all those who impregnated their wives within 18 months after the study presented sperm penetration greater than or equal to 15 mm. It is suggested that BCM is an appropriate medium to determine sperm penetration in the investigation of infertile couples.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Factors associated with reduced fertility and implantation rates in females mated to acrylamide-treated rats.

A series of studies was conducted to examine the role of copulatory dysfunction, spermatotoxicity, and/or impaired fertilization in the reduced rates of fertility and implantation observed in females mated to acrylamide-treated male rats. In initial experiments, males were gavaged with 0, 5, 15, 30, 45, or 60 mg/kg acrylamide (ACR) for 5 days and then mated serially to naive females. ACR treatment reduced fertility and increased pre- and post-implantation loss, primarily over the first 3 weeks post-treatment. The effects at Week 1 appeared to result from an interference in sperm transport as demonstrated by the absence of sperm in the uteri of females following a single ejaculation by ACR-treated male rats. The effect however was transient, with recovery of fertility in all but the 60 mg/kg group by Week 2. Attempts to explain the reduced rate of implantation concentrated on characterizing changes in measures of ejaculated sperm count and various motility parameters and evaluating sperm fertilizing ability. Males were again dosed acutely with ACR (p.o.). ACR produced statistically significant, but modest, alterations in sperm motility at Week 3. More prominent was the marked decrease in the number of fertilized ova recovered from females mated to ACR-treated males at Week 3. These data suggest that events critical to the fertilizing ability of the sperm appear to play a major role in the reduced reproductive competence associated with ACR treatment in male rats.

Acrylamides↗
PubMed1981

Clinical use of the turbidimetric analysis of sperm motility: comparison with visual techniques.

Semen characteristics of men with apparent fertility problems are analyzed primarily by routine visual techniques. Although these techniques provide quantitative information regarding the sperm count, they give only qualitative information about sperm motility. We compared visual microscopic ratings of sperm motility (based on an arbitrary scale of 0 to 4 in half-unit steps) with turbidimetric spectrophotometric analyses for 100 patients from our male fertility clinic. In the turbidimetric method, semen is layered on the bottom of the cuvette filled with Lopata's medium, and motility is quantitated as the rate of change in optical density as the sperm swim upward into the light path. The visual sperm motility rating did not correlate with the turbidimetric rating. Whereas most of the patients had visual ratings of 2.5 to 3.0 (indicating normal motility), the majority had turbidimetric motility factors that were well below the average motility factor for a control group. On the basis of these studies we believe that the turbidimetric analysis of sperm motility is a much more accurate measure of sperm motility than is visual microscopic analysis. Its major advantages are that (1) it provides a quantitative measure of sperm motility; (2) it does not rely on arbitrary rating by an individual; and (3) the sperm must perform work in order to be measured (i.e., leave the semen and swim upward into the light path).

Cell Survival↗