Onset of the Release of Spermatozia (Supermarche) in Boys in Relation to Age, Testicular Growth, Pubic Hair, and Height*

Abstract

The onset of production of spermatozoa (spermarche) is the basis for achievement of reproductive capacity in men. We collected 24-h urine samples every 3 months in a 7-yr longitudinal study of 40 normal boys initially aged 8.6-11.7 yr. After centrifugation, the urine was analyzed for the presence of spermatozoa by microscopic examination, and spermarche was estimated on the basis of age at first observed spermaturia. The results were corrected for the intermittent occurrence of spermatozoa in the urine after first observed spermaturia and the fact that the urine samples were collected quarterly. In addition, physical examination, including determination of testicular size by orchidometer measurement, pubic hair distribution (Tanner stage), and height, was carried out every 6 months. Spermarche occurred at a median age of 13.4 yr (range, 11.7-15.3 yr), at a time when testicular size was 4.7-19.6 ml (median, 11.5 ml), and pubic hair distribution was 1-5 (median, 2.5). In most boys, spermarche preceded the age of peak height velocity (median, 13.8 yr; range, 12.2-15.2 yr); at the time of spermarche, median peak height growth velocity was 9.9 cm/yr (range, 7.5-13.4 cm/yr), and median height was 160.4 cm (range, 151.7-175.9 cm). We conclude that spermarche is an early pubertal event and that a wide variation in testicular size and secondary sex characteristics is found at that time. In particular, spermarche may occur when little or no pubic hair has developed, and the testes have grown only slightly.

European Consensus Statement on congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism—pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

“…74 Early signs of puberty manifest around the age of 10 years in girls (breast development) and 11.5 years in boys (testicular enlargement and spermarche-appearance of spermatozoa in first morning void). [75][76][77] Considerable interindividual variation in the timing of pubertal onset exists, ranging from 8 years to 13 years in girls and 9 years to 14 years in boys. 78,79 Subsequent hallmarks of puberty in boys include deepening of the voice and a growth spurt.…”

Preservation of Fertility in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients With Cancer

“…Spermarche (the release of spermatozoa) is an early-to midpubertal event that precedes the ability to produce an ejaculate and is associated with age-appropriate gonadotropin production. 10,11 There is a large variation in the stage of maturity among 13-to 18-year-old boys with respect to seminal plasma. Once sperm are present, sperm quality does not seem to be affected by patient age.…”

Spermaturia and serum hormone concentrations at the age of puberty in boys prenatally exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls

“…In boys, gonadal maturation is not characterized by any visible event, and assessment of the development of puberty by questionnaire will probably not be reliable. In an effort to determine the possible effects of increased prenatal PCB exposure on sexual differentiation in boys, we carried out detailed clinical examinations of the cohort at the age of puberty and included analysis of urine samples for the presence of spermatozoa (spermaturia) and determination of serum hormone concentrations (10,11).…”