Semen Quality Assessment in Male Reproductive Health
Summary
Semen quality assessment remains the cornerstone of male reproductive evaluation, encompassing a suite of laboratory measures that reflect sperm production, function and fertilising potential. Traditional parameters include semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and morphology, with reference thresholds established by international guidelines. Beyond these basic measures, contemporary practice integrates advanced techniques such as computer-assisted sperm analysis for kinematic profiling, assessments of sperm DNA integrity and biochemical markers in seminal plasma. Such multifaceted evaluation is essential to detect subtle alterations associated with environmental exposures, lifestyle factors and underlying pathologies. Global reports of declining semen parameters over recent decades have heightened the imperative for standardised, sensitive and reproducible assays. Moreover, tailoring assessment to support assisted reproductive techniques necessitates precise characterisation of sperm function and selection of optimal samples. The evolving landscape of semen quality research emphasises not only diagnostic accuracy but also elucidation of mechanistic links between external stressors, molecular sperm defects and clinical outcomes, driving improved management of male factor infertility worldwide.
Research from Nature Portfolio
A multicentre retrospective analysis of nearly 17 300 semen samples from fertility clinics in Nigeria and South Africa (2010–2019) has documented a marked decline in key semen parameters among infertile men. Over this period, ejaculate volume, progressive motility, total sperm count and normal morphology all fell significantly, with progressive motility decreasing by almost 90 % in some cohorts. Age emerged as an independent factor inversely correlated with morphology and motility. Comparative analysis between the two countries further revealed consistently higher semen quality in the younger South African cohort. These findings provide the first quantitative evidence of a worrying regional deterioration in semen quality within Sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the need for investigations into environmental, nutritional and healthcare determinants of male reproductive health in these populations.
Semen Quality Assessment in Male Reproductive Health publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in semen quality assessment in male reproductive health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Semen volume: The total fluid output of an ejaculate, reflecting accessory gland function and as a denominator for concentration calculation.
Sperm concentration: The number of spermatozoa per millilitre of ejaculate, indicating spermatogenic output.
Motility: The proportion of sperm exhibiting active movement; progressive motility denotes forward progression.
Morphology: The percentage of sperm with normal structural features, assessing head, midpiece and tail integrity.
Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA): An automated system that quantifies kinematic parameters such as velocity and trajectory to characterise sperm motion.
Total motile sperm count (TMSC): The product of ejaculate volume, concentration and progressive motility, used to gauge functional sperm availability.
Sperm DNA fragmentation: A measure of the proportion of sperm with broken DNA strands, linked to fertilisation potential and embryo development.
Exposome profiling: The comprehensive analysis of environmental chemicals in biological matrices to identify potential toxicants affecting reproductive parameters.
References
- Exposome Profiling of Environmental Pollutants in Seminal Plasma and Novel Associations with Semen Parameters. Environmental Science and Technology (2024).
- The Impact of a Very Short Abstinence Period on Assisted Reproductive Technique Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Antioxidants (2023).
- Trends in sperm quality by computer-assisted sperm analysis of 49,189 men during 2015–2021 in a fertility center from China. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2023).
- Trends in semen parameters of infertile men in South Africa and Nigeria. Scientific Reports (2023).
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