Decline of semen quality over the last 30 years in Uruguay

Basic and Clinical Andrology - Tập 31 Số 1 - 2021
Lucía Rosa-Villagrán1, N. Barrera2,3, José María de las Heras Montes2, Carlos Riso1, Rossana Sapiro1
1Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
2Laboratorio de Andrología, Fertilab Laboratorio de Análisis Clínicos, Montevideo, Uruguay
3Laboratorio de FIV, Centro de Esterilidad Montevideo (CEM), Montevideo, Uruguay

Tóm tắt

Abstract Background Over the last years, there has been an increasing concern about a global decline in men’s fertility. Specifically, some evidence indicates that sperm quality has decreased over the last years. However, reports showing the changes in sperm quality with time are inconsistent. Part of the contradictions between studies is attributed to geographical differences. Surprisingly, few studies include data from South American countries, creating a bias in the conclusions. This study aims to determine how sperm quality has evolved over the past 30 years in Uruguay. For this purpose, 317 medical records from allegedly healthy sperm donor candidates, aged between 18 and 36 years old, who voluntarily requested to be considered as sperm donors between 1988 and 2019, were analyzed. The studied variables were the following sperm parameters: semen volume, sperm cell concentration, total sperm number, progressive motility, vitality, and sperm morphology. A correlative statistical analysis was performed between seminal parameter values and the year data were collected. Results We found a statistically significant decrease in sperm concentration and normal sperm morphology during the studied period. There was no decrease in vitality, seminal volume, and total progressive motility. Semen parameters were not associated with tobacco, drugs, or alcohol consumption. Conclusions We conclude that the sperm quality of donor candidates in Uruguay decreased during this period. Further studies should be carried out to verify the occurrence of this phenomenon in the general population and find its possible causes.

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Basic and Clinical Andrology

Tập 31 Số 1

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