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Clinical data which influence semen parameters in infertile men.
I Gerhard1, K Lenhard, W Eggert-Kruse
1Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Women's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Lifestyle factors like age, occupation, smoking, alcohol, and stress significantly impact male fertility. Understanding these anamnestic factors is crucial for evaluating abnormal sperm parameters and male infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Andrology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Male infertility affects a significant portion of couples seeking reproductive assistance.
- Anamnestic factors, or patient history, are often overlooked in male fertility assessments.
- Hormonal and seminal parameters are key indicators of male reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of anamnestic factors on semen quality and hormone levels in infertile men.
- To identify specific lifestyle and environmental factors associated with impaired male reproductive function.
Main Methods:
- Spermiograms, Sims-Huhner postcoital tests, in-vitro sperm penetration tests were performed on 225 infertile men.
- Hormone stimulation tests including gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) were conducted.
- Data analysis focused on correlations between patient history (age, occupation, smoking, alcohol, stress) and reproductive parameters.
Main Results:
- Adrenocortical function declined with increasing age.
- Blue-collar workers showed poorer sperm parameters compared to white-collar workers.
- Smoking was linked to hormonal alterations without significant semen changes.
- Regular alcohol consumption correlated with elevated dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate and estradiol, and poor postcoital test results.
- Emotional stress negatively impacted sperm parameters.
Conclusions:
- Anamnestic factors, including age, occupation, smoking, alcohol consumption, and emotional stress, significantly influence male fertility parameters.
- Environmental and lifestyle factors require careful consideration during the evaluation of men with abnormal spermiograms.
- Further research into these influences can improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for male infertility.