Optimal timing for repeat semen analysis during male infertility evaluation

Bibliographic Details
Title: Optimal timing for repeat semen analysis during male infertility evaluation
Authors: Nahid Punjani, M.D., M.P.H., Gal Wald, M.D., Omar Al-Hussein Alwamlh, M.D., Miriam Feliciano, Vanessa Dudley, M.S.H.S., Marc Goldstein, M.D., D.Sc. (Hon)
Source: F&S Reports, Vol 2, Iss 2, Pp 172-175 (2021)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2021.
Publication Year: 2021
Collection: LCC:Diseases of the genitourinary system. Urology
LCC:Gynecology and obstetrics
Subject Terms: Semen analysis, repeat testing, optimal timing, Diseases of the genitourinary system. Urology, RC870-923, Gynecology and obstetrics, RG1-991
More Details: Objective: To assess whether the 4-week time period between semen analyses during the workup of male infertility is optimal and whether two samples are needed. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Tertiary hospital. Patient(s): Men whose semen samples were obtained within 90 days of each other, without known fertility intervention, treatment, and/or azoospermia. Intervention(s): Semen analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Correlation between semen parameters and agreement among consecutive semen analyses. Result(s): A total of 2,150 semen samples from 1,075 men were included in the analysis. The optimal correlation for volume occurred at weeks 2, 8, and 12 (r = 0.803, r = 0.802, and r = 0.821, respectively). For concentration, the correlation was maximized at weeks 1, 4, and 5 (r = 0.950, r = 0.841, and r = 0.795, respectively). Total sperm count correlated at weeks 1, 2, and 4 (r = 0.929, r = 0.727, and r = 0.808, respectively). Motility was maximally correlated at weeks 1, 10, and 13 (r = 0.711, r = 0.760, and r = 0.708, respectively). Morphology was optimally correlated at weeks 1, 2, and 9 (r = 0.935, r = 0.815, and r = 0.839, respectively). Semen volume was correlated in 55% of men, sperm concentration in 64% of men, sperm motility in 52% of men and sperm morphology 64% of men. Conclusion(s): Our data suggest that four weeks may not be the optimal time for repeat semen analysis and that one sample is insufficient to assess any abnormalities in the result of semen analysis. The optimal time between repeat semen analyses should be individualized depending on the results of the initial analysis and additional factors, suggesting the need for future large-scale studies to investigate this trend.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2666-3341
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266633412100043X; https://doaj.org/toc/2666-3341
DOI: 10.1016/j.xfre.2021.04.010
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/948f0d46db5f468e80ab628805917815
Accession Number: edsdoj.948f0d46db5f468e80ab628805917815
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:26663341
DOI:10.1016/j.xfre.2021.04.010
Published in:F&S Reports
Language:English