Semen Parameters

Abstract

Semen is a pale whitish fluid secreted by male during ejaculation and containsspermatozoa which are male gametes essential of fertilizing the oocytes which are femalegametes. In a quest to evaluate male’s fertility potential semen is analyzed to look into some ofits characteristics and of the sperms contained within the semen analyzed. Method of collectioninfluences the results of Semen analysis as does the technique of analysis. Spermatozoa areexamined for number (count), shape (morphology) and movement (motility) in order to assesstheir quality. Non sperm cells, volume, Fructose level, pH, liquefaction are also checked asa part of routine analysis. Objectives: To describe the pattern of semen parameters in subfertilemales. To look into frequency and distribution of abnormal semen parameters in a groupof Pakistani males in Lahore. Methods: In this Retrospective, cross sectional, observationalstudy all males undergoing for evaluation and treatment for sub-fertility at a private AssistedReproductive Technology clinic in Lahore, Pakistan were included. Approval of the IRB wassought and data collection instrument was a specially designed Performa which was validatedby the biostatistician of LIFE research cell. Data was extracted from the files of LIFE (LahoreInstitute of Fertility and Endocrinology) and entered in SPSS version 15. Sampling techniquewas non-probability, consecutive. Semen analysis was done by methods defined by the WHO(World Health Organization). Results: Of total patient (n=679) 92.2% (626) males passed sampleat LIFE (Lahore institute of fertility and endocrinology) and (7.8%) 53 brought sample fromhome. Of the males who passed sample at LIFE (78.8%) 535 collected semen by masturbation,(11.9%) 81 by coitus; the source of sample of (9.3%) 63 males was not known. As 2-6 ml semenwas consider to be normal by WHO criteria, (80.6%) 547 males were in normal range (14.1%)96 found to be less than 2-6 ml and (5.3%) 36 found to be more than normal range. Accordingto WHO criteria 15 million/ml count is said to be normal, in our research (82.0%) 557 were foundto be normal, in (2.9%) 20 count was found to be less than 15 million/ml and in (5.9%) 40 countwas less than 1 million/ml. In (9.1%) 62 counts was found to be abnormally low. In this research(66.1%) 449 had normal sperm motility, (21.8%) 148 had less than 40% and abnormally lowsperm motility was found in (12.1%) 82 males. Conclusion: The results of the single semenanalysis are of limited utility and no decision should be taken on the bases of these results interm of diagnosis and treatment strategies.