The Effect of Season and Age on Sperm Parameters in Infertile Men

Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biology

Sh. Bakhshesh ¹ , M. Tavalaee ² , M.H. Nasr-Esfahani ³

1 - Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
2 - Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
3 - Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran; Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran

Received: 2017-12-07 Accepted : 2018-05-26 Published : 2018-05-22

Keywords: age, Season, Sperm parameters, Male infertility,

Abstract :

Approximately 15% of couples are infertile. Male factor infertility is reported in half of infertile couples. Several factors including age, and season are effective on the quality of sperm parameters, which can have different results in different geographic locations. In this study, the effect of these two factors on sperm parameters in infertile men was investigated. Overall, 659 semen samples from infertile men referred to the Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, central Iran were collected. Semen analysis included assessment of volume, concentration, motility and morphology carried out according to WHO (2010). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Quality of sperm parameters, especially sperm motility and count were affected by the age and seasonal changes. Negative significant correlations between male age with sperm count and motility were observed (P<0.05). As the age increases, the mean of sperm count and motility in infertile men are reduced, and the reduction in these two parameters are more pronounced in the first half of the year than in the second half of the year. However, age and seasonal variations do not affect sperm morphology.  

References:

1. Adamopoulos D., Pappa A., Billa E., Nicopoulou S., Koukkou E., Venaki E., 2009. Seasonality in Sperm Parameters in Normal Men and Dyspermic Patients on Medical Intervention. Andrologia, 41)2(: 118-124.


2. Begueria R., Garcia D., Obradors A., Poisot F., Vassena R., Vernaeve V., 2014. Paternal Age and Assisted Reproductive Outcomes in Icsi Donor Oocytes: Is There an Effect of Older Fathers? Human Reproduction, 29(10): 2114-2122.


3. Carlsen E., Petersen J.H., Andersson A.M., Skakkebaek N.E., 2004.  Effects of Ejaculatory Frequency and Season on Variations in Semen Quality. Fertility and sterility, 82(2): 358-366.


4. Centola G.M., Eberly S., 1999, Seasonal Variations and Age-Related Changes in Human Sperm Count, Motility, Motion Parameters, Morphology, and White Blood Cell Concentration. Fertility and sterility, 72(5): 803-808.


5. Chen Z., Toth T., Godfrey‐Bailey L., Mercedat N., Schiff I., Hauser R., 2003, Seasonal Variation and Age‐Related Changes in Human Semen Parameters. Journal of andrology, 24(2): 226-231.


6. De Giorgi A., Volpi R., Tiseo R., Pala M., Manfredini R., Fabbian F., 2015.  Seasonal Variation of Human Semen Parameters: A Retrospective Study in Italy. Chronobiology international, 32(5): 711-716.


7. De Rensis F., Lopez-Gatius F., García-Ispierto I., Morini G., Scaramuzzi R., 2017. Causes of Declining Fertility in Dairy Cows During the Warm Season. Theriogenology,  91: 145-153.

1. Gabrielsen J., Tanrikut C., 2016.  Chronic Exposures and Male Fertility: The Impacts of Environment, Diet, and Drug Use on Spermatogenesis. Andrology, 4(4): 648-661.


2. Henkel R., Menkveld R., Kleinhappl M., Schill W.B. (2001), Andrology: Seasonal Changes in Human Sperm Chromatin Condensation. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 18(7): 371-377.


3. Krause A., Krause W.,  2002. Seasonal Variations in Human Seminal Parameters. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 101(2): 175-178.


4. Levitas E., Lunenfeld E., Weisz N., Friger M., Har-Vardi I., 2013. Seasonal Variations of Human Sperm Cells among 6455 Semen Samples: A Plausible Explanation of a Seasonal Birth Pattern. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 208(5): 406. e1-406. e6.


5. Li C.J., Tzeng C.R., Chen R.Y., Han B.C., Yeh C.Y., Chien L.C., 2016. Decline in Semen Quality in Men in Northern Taiwan between 2001 and 2010. The Chinese Journal of Physiology, 59(6): 355-365.


6. Madeen E.P., Williams D.E., 2017. Environmental Pah Exposure and Male Idiopathic Infertility: A Review on Early Life Exposures and Adult Diagnosis. Reviews on environmental health, 32(1-2): 73-81.


7. Mallidis C., Howard E., Baker H., 1991. Variation of Semen Quality in Normal Men. International Journal of Andrology, 14(2): 99-107.


8. Mohr B.A., Guay A.T., O'donnell A.B., McKinlay J.B., 2005. Normal, Bound and Nonbound Testosterone Levels in Normally Ageing Men: Results from the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study. Clinical Endocrinology, 62(1): 64-73.


9. Ombelet W., Maes M., Vandeput H., Cox A., Janssen M., Pollet H., Fourie F.L.R., Steeno O., Bosmans E., 1996.  Chronobiological Fluctuations in Semen Parameters with a Constant Abstinence Period. Archives of Andrology. 37(2): 91-96.


10. Organization Word Health. 2010. WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Cambridge University Press. Pp:1-271.


11. Ozelci R., Yılmaz S., Dilbaz B., Akpınar F., Akdag Cırık D., Dilbaz S., Ocal A., 2016. Seasonal Variation of Human Sperm Cells among 4,422 Semen Samples: A Retrospective Study in Turkey. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, 62(6): 379-386.


12. Proctor J.G., Blackhurst D.W., Boone W.R., 2004. Does Seasonality Alter Intrauterine Insemination Outcomes: A 5-Year Study. Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 21(7): 263-270.


13. Revelli A., La Sala G.B., Gennarelli G., Scatigna L., Racca C., Massobrio M., 2005. Seasonality and Human in Vitro Fertilization Outcome. Gynecological Endocrinology, 21(1): 12-17.


14. Sanchez R., 1999. Seasonal Changes in Human Sperm Chromatin Condensation. First Cases from the Southern Hemisphere (Chile). Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 34: 15-15.


15. Santi D., Vezzani S., Granata A.R., Roli L., De Santis M.C., Ongaro C., Donati F., Baraldi E., Trenti T., Setti M., 2016. Sperm Quality and Environment: A Retrospective, Cohort Study in a Northern Province of Italy. Environmental Research, 150: 144-153.


16. Skakkebaek N.E., Rajpert. De Meyts E., Louis G.M.B., Toppari J., Andersson A.M., Eisenberg M.L., Jensen T.K., Jorgensen N., Swan S.H., Sapra K.J., 2016. Male Reproductive Disorders and Fertility Trends: Influences of Environment and Genetic Susceptibility. Physiological Reviews, 96(1): 55-97.


17. Stearns G., Turek P.J.,  2013. Avoiding Toxins Including Spermatotoxic Medications. In Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, 31: 286-292


18. Stone B.A., Alex A., Werlin L.B., Marrs R.P., 2013. Age Thresholds for Changes in Semen Parameters in Men. Fertility and Sterility, 100(4): 952-958.


19. Vincent C., 1972.  Effects of Season and High Environmental Temperature on Fertility in Cattle: A Review. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 161(11): 1333-1339.


20. Zhang X.Z., Liu J.H., Sheng H.Q., Wu H.J., Wu Y., Yao K.S., Lu J.C., Zhang F.B., 2013. Seasonal Variation in Semen Quality in China. Andrology, 1(4): 639-643