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* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: saad.elzanaty{at}med.lu.se.
This study aimed to examine the association between the
interval from ejaculation-to-analysis and epididymal and
accessory sex gland function in relation to sperm
motility. Ejaculates from 1079 men assessed for
infertility were analyzed according to WHO guidelines.
Biochemical markers were measured in semen to assess the
function of the epididymis (neutral
-glucosidase
[NAG]), prostate (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] and
zinc), and seminal vesicles (fructose). Three groups were
defined according to time from ejaculation-to- analysis:
G
30 (24-30 minutes), G31-60
(31-60 minutes), and G>60(63-180 minutes). The
proportion of progressively motile sperm was significantly
lower in G>60 than in G
30 (mean
difference: 8.0%, 95% CI 2.0%-13%) or G31-60
(mean difference: 6.0%, 95% CI 1.0%-12%). The proportion
of rapid progressive sperm motility was significantly
higher in G
30 compared to G31-60
(mean difference: 3.0%, 95% CI 1.0%-5.0%) and
G>60 (mean difference: 6.0%, 95% CI 1.0%-10%).
Sperm morphology and viability did not vary significantly
between the groups. However, PSA levels in G>60
were 29% and 31% significantly lower than in
G
30 (95% CI 3.0%-54%) and G31-60
(95% CI 7.0%-58%), respectively. Moreover, men in the
G>60 had 29% and 17% significantly lower zinc
compared to those in G
30 (95% CI 4.0%-69%)
and G31-60 (95% CI 4.0%-64%), respectively.
Levels of NAG and fructose did not differ significantly
between the groups. There were negative associations
between the ejaculation-to-analysis interval and sperm
motility and levels of PSA and zinc. In male infertility
assessments, semen analysis should be performed within 60
minutes of ejaculation.
Key words: Biochemical markers
morphology
semen analysis
sperm motility
viability
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