Correlation analysis of age, abstinence, and seasons with semen parameters in untreated male partners of infertile couples

Abstract

Many studies reveal the presence of an effect of age, abstinence and seasons on semen parameters, but the number of patients enrolled is small and the presence of therapies unknown. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between abstinence days, age, season, and semen parameters (volume, concentration, progressive motility, total number of sperms, morphology) among men referred to our laboratory. We proceeded with a cross-sectional, observational, exploratory study in an Andrology laboratory. A population of 348 male partners of infertile couples who did not receive any treatment in the 3 months preceding semen analysis was selected. Sperm volume, concentration, total number, progressive motility and morphology of sperms were conducted strictly following the guidelines indicated in the last edition of WHO manual for semen analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis and Kendall's correlation analysis were applied. Sperm concentration, semen volume and sperm total number moderately increased as well as the abstinence, while progressive motility and morphology moderately decreased. Regarding the age, in the 20-35 age group there was a weak inverse association with concentration, total number, motility and morphology and a weak positive association with volume; in the 42-63 age group there was a moderate positive association between age and concentration, motility and morphology, but an inverse association with volume. No correlation emerged between seasonal variations and semen parameters. These results suggested the importance of correct information to patients for proper semen analysis for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Keywords: abstinence; age; male infertility; sperm parameters.