Andrology: Seminal volume and total sperm number trends in men attending subfertllity clinics in the Greater Athens area during the period 1977-1993

Abstract

The trends for such important parameters of male fertility as seminal volume and total sperm number were assessed in men living permanently in the Greater Athens area over a prolonged period of time. To this end, the records of three andrological laboratories employing the same method for semen evaluation were analysed retrospectively. Out of 23,850 men examined from 1977 to 1993 (17 years) for couple subfertility, a total of 2385 (10%) were selected for evaluation by a randomization procedure. Analysis of the data included (i) estimation of mean seminal volume and total sperm number per year, (ii) assessment of percentage frequency distribution of each seminal parameter and (iii) evaluation of seminal volume and total sperm number changes in relation to the year of observation and age of the subjects. A significant decrease (P < 0.01) of total sperm number was observed over the years with a mean (+/-SEM) of 154.3 +/- 19.2 x 10(6) at the beginning (1977), dropping to 130.1 +/- 13.3 x 10(6) in the final year (1993). Mean seminal volume was lower in the final year of observation, but its difference from the initial year value was not significant. Frequency distribution analysis showed a marked decline in the 240-400 x 10(6) sub-set of the range of sperm number values from 16.9 +/- 4.5% (1977) to 10.6 +/- 1.6% in the final year (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis of seminal volume, total sperm number, age and year of assessment revealed a significant decline of the two seminal parameters along the years of observation (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001 respectively). Over the same period, a marked deterioration of some air pollution indices was observed in that area. It is concluded that in this racially and ethnically homogeneous sample of men, living under the same environmental conditions, a significant decline in seminal volume and total sperm number occurred over the 17 years of observation.

Pesticide Exposure and Health Related Issues in Male and Female Reproductive System

“…However, Olsen et al (1995) reanalyzed the data used in a linear model to predict sperm quality deterioration in the last 50 years, advocate that the data are only robust during the last 20 years , in which other statistical models (quadratic, spline fit and stairstep), except the linear model, suggest constant or slightly increasing sperm counts. Studies from Italy, Denmark, Canada, Tunisia, India, Poland, Israel, Scotland, Greece and Germany suggest that there has been a decline, or sperm parameters are impaired in young populations (Adamopoulos et al, 1996;Younglai et al, 1998;Bilotta et al, 1999;Almagor et al, 2003;Vicari et al, 2003;Jørgensen et al, 2006;Sripada et al, 2007;Adiga et al, 2008;Paasch et al, 2008;Horak et al, 2008;Feki et al, 2009). Conversely, other reports from US, Japan, Korea, Sweden, Spain, Israel and Czech Republic showed no significant evidence of deterioration in sperm quality (Fisch et al, 1996;Paulsen et al, 1996;Benshushan et al, 1997;Berling & Wölner-Hanssen, 1997;Andolz et al, 1999;Seo et al, 2000;Itoh et al, 2001;Zvĕrina et al, 2002).…”

Decline of semen quality among 10 932 males consulting for couple infertility over a 20-year period in Marseille, France

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] By contrast, other studies have shown no evidence of deteriorating semen quality. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Some studies concern infertile couples, while others analyse normal sperm parameters.…”

Occupational and Lifestyle Exposures on Male Infertility: A Mini Review

“…Several studies have suggested that human semen quality and fecundity is declining [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. However, changes in semen quality may not develop uniformly [14][15][16].…”