the Short Abstinence May Have Paradoxical Effects On Sperms With Different Level Of DNA Integrity: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of short abstinence on sperm function tests and semen parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 65 male patients with increased DNA injury in their ejaculated sperm and a history of recurrent pregnancy loss and/or assisted reproductive techniques failures. The effects of antioxidants medical therapy and short abstinence on semen quality were assessed (TUNEL test and CMA3 staining). RESULTS: Antioxidants have statistically significant effects on mean sperm concentration (untreated, 67.51 ± 44.40 million/ml, vs. treated, 56.09 ± 37.85 million/ml; P-value=0.005) and mean TUNEL score (untreated, 24.56% ± 9.49%, vs. treated, 20.64% ± 10.28%; P-value = 0.013). Moreover, a short abstinence period might have positive effects as shown on the TUNEL assay (20.64% ± 10.28 vs. 17.38% ± 8.59 ; P-value = 0.028) and CMA3 staining (47.79% ± 20.78, vs. short 41.92% ± 18.49; P-value = 0.019), when considering all study subjects. However, different results were obtained using more precise analysis based on a TUNEL cutoff score of 20%. The analysis showed that short abstinence might improve sperm DNA integrity in patients with TUNEL score > 20% (mean TUNEL score from 27.85% ± 8.32% to 19.14% ± 8.90% ; P-value =0.001%). However, it might have deleterious effects on sperm DNA integrity in patients with TUNEL score < 20% (mean TUNEL score from 11.89% ± 3.21% to 15.17% ± 7.79%; P-value = 0.045%) Conclusion: Our results showed that short abstinence may not be beneficial in all infertile males, and it should only be used in selected patients with abnormal DNA integrity.

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

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.