Journal of Andrology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
Published-Ahead-of-Print June 6, 2007, DOI:10.2164/jandrol.107.002659

This Article
Right arrow Author Manuscript (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
28/6/847    most recent
Author Manuscript (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Elzanaty, S.
Right arrow Articles by Malm, J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Elzanaty, S.
Right arrow Articles by Malm, J.

Effects of Ejaculation-to-Analysis Delay on Levels of Markers of Epididymal and Accessory Sex Gland Functions and Sperm Motility

Saad Elzanaty * and Johan Malm

* 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 {alpha}-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






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
Copyright © 2007 by The American Society of Andrology.