The relationship between human semen characteristics and sperm apoptosis: a pilot study.

This work was undertaken to explore the association between human semen characteristics and apoptosis in ejaculated sperm. We collected semen samples from 23 consecutive male patients who presented to the Andrology Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for routine semen analysis. Sperm concentration and motility were measured using computer-assisted sperm analysis.

Does the potential for selection bias in semen quality studies depend on study design? Experience from a study conducted within an infertility clinic.

Background: The low participation rates in human semen quality studies raises concern for the potential of differential participation based on semen quality (or a surrogate). To explore the potential for differential participation, we compared semen analysis results from study subjects with those of non-study subjects.

Methods: We obtained semen analysis results from 235 study subjects and retrospectively obtained results from a subset of 235 infertility clinic patients that were not study subjects but met the same eligibility criteria.

Impact of seasonal variation, age and smoking status on human semen parameters: The Massachusetts General Hospital experience.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship of human semen parameters with season, age and smoking status. METHODS: The present study used data from subjects recruited into an ongoing cross-sectional study on the relationship between environmental agents and semen characteristics. Our population consisted of 306 patients who presented to the Vincent Memorial Andrology Laboratory of Massachusetts General Hospital for semen evaluation.

The relationship between environmental exposure to phthalates and computer-aided sperm analysis motion parameters.

The general population is exposed to phthalates through consumer products, diet, and medical devices. The present study explored whether phthalates, reproductive toxins in laboratory animals, were associated with altered sperm movement characteristics in men. Two-hundred twenty subjects provided a semen sample for computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and a urine sample for measurement of phthalate monoesters, monoethyl (MEP), monobenzyl (MBzP), mono-n-butyl (MBP), mono-2-ethylhexyl (MEHP), and monomethyl (MMP).

The relationship between human semen parameters and environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p'-DDE.

Scientific and public concern exists about potential reproductive health effects of persistent chlorinated organic chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE, the most stable daughter compound of DDT). To explore the hypothesis that environmental exposures to PCBs and DDE are associated with altered semen parameters, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 212 male partners of subfertile couples who presented to the Massachusetts General Hospital Andrology Laboratory. Semen parameters were analyzed as both a continuous measure and dichotomized based on World Health Organization reference values for sperm concentration (< 20 million/mL), motility (< 50% motile), and Kruger strict criteria for morphology (< 4% normal).

Phthalate exposure and human semen parameters.

Background: There is scientific and public concern about commonly used chemicals, including phthalates, that are associated with reproductive toxicity in laboratory animals and are hormonally active. People are exposed to phthalates through diet, consumer products and medical devices. The present study explored whether environmental levels of phthalates are associated with altered semen quality in humans.

Seasonal variation and age-related changes in human semen parameters.

Although semen quality has been discussed extensively with regard to age and season in the andrology literature, the results vary and firm conclusions are still outstanding. To investigate seasonal and age-related variations in human semen parameters, we analyzed data that were collected from an andrology clinic population. We performed a retrospective review of 551 semen analysis records collected from 1989 to 2000 from the Vincent Memorial Andrology Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Environmental organochlorines and semen quality: results of a pilot study.

There have been numerous studies that suggest that sperm concentrations (sperm counts) are declining in men. However, other studies suggest that sperm counts are not declining or may be increasing in some areas. Although there is disagreement on whether there is a downward temporal trend in sperm counts, the studies provide evidence that sperm counts vary by geographic location.