ABSTRACT
Semen analysis is the most valuable diagnostic tool in the assessment of male fertility potential. Possible changes were determined in semen quality of Pakistani infertile men, over a period of 3 years [1999 to 2002]. Retrospective analysis of semen volume, liquefaction time, pH and sperm concentration were carried out for 150 men' from infertile couples in which 50 cases [33.33%] showed azoospermia [A], 50 cases [33.33%] had oligozoospermia [B], 20 cases [13.33%] were asthenozoospermic [C] and 30 cases [20%] were found to be normozoospermic [D]. The linear regression analysis shows a decrease in semen volume in groups A and B, mean semen volume [ml] for the four respective studied groups being 1.5 +/- 0.4, 1.7 +/- 2, 2.5 +/- 0.1 and 2.4 +/- 0. The mean liquefaction time [min] was 37.5 +/- 0.7, 28.7 +/- 3.7, 18.5 +/- 0.7 and 18.6 +/- 3.6 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively, showing linear increase in groups A and B. pH did not vary much amongst groups and ranged from 7.0-8.5. Mean sperm concentration was 0.0, 6.7 +/- 1.7, 45.3 +/- 8.8 and 86.8 +/- 7.5 million/ml in groups A, B, C and D. The hormonal profile showed normal or low levels of testosterone while FSH and LH levels indicated inverse/negative correlation to sperm concentration, whereas no significant relationship between serum prolactin and semen density was detectable between different groups