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Barratt CL. The joys of sharing: andrology trailblazes in data transparency - an example using the World Health Organization 2021 reference ranges. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:103230. [PMID: 37198008 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
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Garcia-Grau E, Lleberia J, Costa L, Guitart M, Yeste M, Benet J, Amengual MJ, Ribas-Maynou J. Decline of Sperm Quality over the Last Two Decades in the South of Europe: A Retrospective Study in Infertile Patients. BIOLOGY 2022; 12:biology12010070. [PMID: 36671762 PMCID: PMC9856056 DOI: 10.3390/biology12010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Semen quality has a direct relation to male fertility. Whether sperm variables in humans have decreased over the last years is still uncertain, with some studies showing a decline and others reporting no changes. In this regard, previous research has suggested that lifestyle and environmental conditions may contribute to this variability, calling for regional studies. The present work is a retrospective, unicentric study that includes semen samples analyzed between 1997 and 2017 at the Parc Taulí Hospital (Barcelona metropolitan area). First, a multivariate analysis including the age as a confounding factor showed a statistically significant decrease in semen volume, pH, progressive motility, morphology and total motile sperm over time. Contrarily, no significant variation in sperm count or concentration was observed. Mean reductions per year were -0.02 mL for volume, -0.57% for progressively motile sperm and -0.72% for sperm with normal morphology. Interestingly, the average annual temperature registered by the Spanish Meteorology Agency negatively correlated to sperm morphology and sperm count (Rs = -0.642; p = 0.002 and Rs = -0.435; p = 0.049, respectively). In conclusion, the present study based on infertile patients from the Barcelona area found a decline in sperm motility and morphology, without effects on sperm count. Changes in temperature appeared to be associated to this decline, but further studies are needed to address the mechanisms linked to the observed variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Garcia-Grau
- Departament of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Parc Taulí Health Corporation, ES-08208 Sabadell, Spain
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, (Cerdanyola del Vallès), ES-08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Lleberia
- Departament of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Parc Taulí Health Corporation, ES-08208 Sabadell, Spain
| | - Laura Costa
- Departament of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Parc Taulí Health Corporation, ES-08208 Sabadell, Spain
| | - Miriam Guitart
- UDIAT Diagnostic Center, Parc Taulí Health Corporation, ES-08208 Sabadell, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), ES-08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Jordi Benet
- Unit of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), ES-08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María José Amengual
- UDIAT Diagnostic Center, Parc Taulí Health Corporation, ES-08208 Sabadell, Spain
| | - Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain
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Feferkorn I, Azani L, Kadour-Peero E, Hizkiyahu R, Shrem G, Salmon-Divon M, Dahan MH. Geographic variation in semen parameters from data used for the World Health Organization semen analysis reference ranges. Fertil Steril 2022; 118:475-482. [PMID: 35750517 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study geographic variations in sperm parameters using data from the trials that defined the reference ranges of the World Health Organization 2021 manual. DESIGN Retrospective evaluation of the data used to define the World Health Organization reference ranges. SETTING Not applicable. PATIENT(S) Data from 11 studies, including 3,484 participants across 5 continents. INTERVENTION(S) The data were divided according to geographic locations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Differences in sperm parameters. RESULT(S) The semen volume was significantly lower in samples from Asia and Africa than in other regions. The sperm concentration was the lowest in Africa and highest in Australia. The total motile sperm count (TMSC) and total motile progressive sperm count (TMPS) were significantly lower in Africa than in other regions. The TMSC and TMPS in Asia and the United States were significantly lower than in Europe and Australia. The 5th percentile of the sperm concentration was lowest in the United States (12.5 × 106/mL). The 5th percentile for the normal sperm morphology was lowest in the United States (3%) and highest in Asia (5%). The 5th percentile for the TMSC and TMPS were lowest in Africa (TMSC, 15.08 million; TMPS, 12.06 million) and the United States (TMSC, 18.05 million; TMPS, 16.86 million) and highest in Australia (TMSC, 29.61 million; TMPS, 25.80 million). CONCLUSION(S) Significant geographic differences in sperm parameters exist, and regional fertility societies should consider adding their own reference ranges on the basis of local experience and treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Feferkorn
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, McGill University Health Care Center, Québec, Canada.
| | - Liat Azani
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Einav Kadour-Peero
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, McGill University Health Care Center, Québec, Canada
| | - Ranit Hizkiyahu
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, McGill University Health Care Center, Québec, Canada
| | - Guy Shrem
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Mali Salmon-Divon
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel; Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Michael H Dahan
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, McGill University Health Care Center, Québec, Canada
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