The Influence of Semen Analysis Parameters on the Fertility Potential of Infertile Couples
Abstract
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between couples' fertility potential and several parameters of semen analysis (from a single semen sample/male partner) in a cohort of 1,055 infertile couples seen at the Texas Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology for a total of 9,409 follow‐up months. The medians of sperm concentrations (SC), total sperm counts (TSC), percent motility (MOT), motile sperm concentrations (MSC), and total motile sperm counts (TMSC) were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in the group that achieved pregnancy. When the entire group was divided into “high” and “low” groups on the basis of the various parameters of semen analysis, the relative risk ratios for conception for the “high” groups were as follows: SC, 1.5; MOT, 8.5; TSC, 8.1; MSC, 5.8; and TMSC, 6.1. Life table analysis showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001) in the initial rise and overall slope of the conception rates between the two groups for a number of the semen analysis parameters (TSC, MOT, MSC, and TMSC). This study showed that certain semen analysis parameters are positively correlated, with a high degree of statistical probability, with the time required for the occurrence of conception. The quantitative impact of the male fertility potential on conception rates was shown to correlate not solely with the SC or MOT values, but even more so with their derivatives (i.e., MSC and TMSC). Therefore, in an in vivo environment it is not only the number of sperm and their motility but also their derivatives that provide a quantitative insight into the male fertility potential. The data may provide a quantitative expression of the relative risk ratio for conception to occur and the time required until conception is achieved. Further studies will be necessary to clarify the effect of the other semen analysis parameters (i.e., morphology, velocity, linearity, and “efficient” MSC) on conception rates, cumulative conception rates, relative risk ratio for conception, and time until conception in a large population of infertile couples.
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Ayala et al. (1996) showed in a cohort of 1055 infertile couples that the TOPR was significantly higher if the TMSC was more than 25 × 10^6 compared with a TMSC below 25 × 10^6 (relative risk 6.1; 95% CI 4.7-7.9).
“Ayala et al. (1996) showed in a cohort of 1055 infertile couples that the TOPR was significantly higher if the TMSC was more than 25 × 10 6 compared with a TMSC below 25 × 10 6 [relative risk 6.1 (95% CI: 4.7 -7.9)].”
From Total motile sperm count: a better indicator for the severity of male factor infertility than the WHO sperm classification system (2015) · cites this paper as Ayala et al. (1996)
The correlation between the TMSC classification and spontaneous pregnancy rate is hardly investigated.
“Although decision-making in daily practice is usually based on the TMSC, the correlation between the TMSC classification and spontaneous pregnancy rate is hardly investigated (Ayala et al., 1996).”
From Total motile sperm count: a better indicator for the severity of male factor infertility than the WHO sperm classification system (2015) · cites this paper as Ayala et al., 1996
Cites
Modeling and variable selection in epidemiologic analysis
Greenland, S. (1989) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.79.3.340 · Cited by 2,208 · see citing works
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Hamilton, J. A. M., Cissen, M., Brandes, M., Smeenk, J. M. J., de Bruin, J. P., Kremer, J. A. M., Nelen, W. L. D. M., & Hamilton, C. J. C. M. (2015) · Human Reproduction · doi:10.1093/humrep/dev058 · Cited by 236 · see citing works
- Authors
- AYALA, C., STEINBERGER, E., & SMITH, D. P.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (US)
- Corresponding author
- AYALA, CARMA
- Venue
- Journal of Andrology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1996-11-12
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 718-725
- ISSN
- 0196-3635 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-4640
- OpenAlex
- W1491676739
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Andrology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Male Reproductive Health Studies
- Keywords
- semen analysis, male infertility, infertile couples, fertility potential, sperm motility, total motile sperm count, sperm concentration, total sperm count, conception rate, time to conception
- MeSH terms
- Evaluation Studies as Topic, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infertility, Male, Risk Factors, Semen, Sperm Count, Sperm Motility, Time Factors, Cohort Studies, Age Distribution
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