Evolution of semen quality in North-eastern Spain: a study in 22 759 infertile men over a 36 year period

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 731 - 735
• Main Authors: Andolz, P., Bielsa, M.A., Vila, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.03.1999; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aging; Biological and medical sciences; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Infertility, Male - pathology; Infertility, Male - physiopathology; Linear Models; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Oligospermia - pathology; Oligospermia - physiopathology; Semen - physiology; Spain; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Europe; Spain; time-related change; Semen analysis; semen quality; Human; Spermatozoa; Motility; Semen; Quality; Male sterility; Germinal cell; Male genital diseases
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/14.3.731

A retrospective study was conducted in a large population to determine whether sperm quality has changed in North-eastern Spain between 1960 and 1996. From a total initial population of 22 759 men, two separate groups were studied: men with spermatozoa (n = 20 411) and those with azoospermia (n = 1364). After adjustment for age and sexual abstinence, multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess changes in semen parameters over time. A 0.2% decline was observed in semen volume in the spermatozoa group (P < 0.001). No significant increase (0.04%) in sperm count (× 106/ml) was observed in the spermatozoa group. There was a 0.4% increase in motile spermatozoa in the spermatozoa group (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant decline in normal spermatozoa (3.6%) in the spermatozoa group (P < 0.001). Of the total population, 1364 men had azoospermia (6.0%). The changes observed in the semen parameters analysed in this large population showed no evidence of a deteriorating sperm quality, although a statistically significant decline was observed in the percentage of normal spermatozoa.