Iranian temporal changes in semen quality during the past 22 years: A report from an infertility center

Serajeddin Vahidi, Vahidi S, Moein MR, Mohammad Reza Moein, Fatemeh Yazdinejad, Yazdinejad F, Ghasemi-Esmailabad S, Saeed Ghasemi-Esmailabad, Nima Narimani
International journal of reproductive biomedicine · 2020 · vol. 18(12) , pp. 1059–1064 · doi:10.18502/ijrm.v18i12.8027 · PMID:33426416 · PMC7778748
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This retrospective study of Iranian men referred to an infertility center found inconsistent temporal changes in semen quality, with significant declines in normal sperm morphology and grade A motility despite increased concentration.

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This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed temporal trends in semen quality among Iranian men referred to an infertility center between 1990-1992 and 2010-2012. To minimize selection bias, researchers included only male partners of couples with known female factors such as tubal obstruction and endometriosis. The results indicated that while sperm concentration increased significantly over the two decades, the percentages of rapidly motile sperm and morphologically normal spermatozoa decreased notably. Although age did not significantly correlate with these parameters, the authors attributed the decline in motility and morphology to potential lifestyle changes, environmental pollution, and industrialization in the region. Relevance to endometriosis: Endometriosis is explicitly listed as one of the female factors used to select the study population, serving as a control for male fertility assessment rather than being the primary subject of investigation.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous reports about temporal changes in semen quality from all over the world, the debates continue. The latest systemic review has shown an overtime decrease in semen quality worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To assess the temporal changes in the semen quality among Iranian population referred to an infertility center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, semen parameters including concentration, motility, and morphology were compared between Iranian men reffered to Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd between 1990 to 1992 (group 1, n = 707) and 2010 to 2012 (group 2, n = 1108). Demographic characteristics and semen analysis were collected from the records. The effect of age on semen parameters was also investigated. RESULTS: Despite the increase in sperm concentration l in group 2, sperm with normal morphology decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Grade-A motility decreased (p < 0.001), grade B motility increased (p < 0.001), and grade C and D motile sperm remained constant (p = 0.303 and p = 0.315, respectively). Also, no significant correlation between the age and semen parameters were observed. CONCLUSION: This study showed inconsistent temporal changes in the participant semen quality. Significant temporal decline were obtained between various semen parameters, sperm morphology and grade A motility. These results should be further evaluated by larger studies in the future.
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In this study, we have mentioned a temporary decrease in some semen parameters like sperm motility and morphology despite increase in sperm concentration from an Iranian infertility center. The reason for these changes remain to be elucidated with further studies.

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