Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

124.5K
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
124.5K
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition01:22

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

13.3K
During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...
13.3K
Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

658
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
658
Menopause01:28

Menopause

5.1K
Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...
5.1K
Birth Control Methods01:22

Birth Control Methods

7.2K
Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although...
7.2K
Sperm Transport01:15

Sperm Transport

4.5K
The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
4.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The effect of oxidative and reductive stress on semen parameters and functions of physiologically normal human spermatozoa.

Free radical biology & medicine·2020
Same author

Efficacy of Antioxidant Supplementation on Conventional and Advanced Sperm Function Tests in Patients with Idiopathic Male Infertility.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)·2020
Same author

Proteomic Analyses of Human Sperm Cells: Understanding the Role of Proteins and Molecular Pathways Affecting Male Reproductive Health.

International journal of molecular sciences·2020
Same author

Exosomes of male reproduction.

Advances in clinical chemistry·2020
Same author

Body mass index and age correlate with antioxidant supplementation effects on sperm quality: Post hoc analyses from a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Andrologia·2020
Same author

Geographical differences in semen characteristics: Comparing semen parameters of infertile men of the United States and Iraq.

Andrologia·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
08:48

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

3.5K

Abstinence Time and Its Impact on Basic and Advanced Semen Parameters.

Ashok Agarwal1, Sajal Gupta1, Stefan Du Plessis2

  • 1American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

Urology
|May 20, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Shorter ejaculatory abstinence (EA) periods, even just one day, do not harm sperm quality in men with normal sperm counts. This approach can reduce sperm DNA fragmentation, potentially improving fertility outcomes.

More Related Videos

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
03:28

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: November 29, 2018

20.9K
Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice
12:06

Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice

Published on: November 18, 2017

18.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
08:48

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

3.5K
Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation
03:28

Sperm Collection of Differential Quality Using Density Gradient Centrifugation

Published on: November 29, 2018

20.9K
Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice
12:06

Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice

Published on: November 18, 2017

18.0K

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Sperm Biology
  • Andrology

Background:

  • Ejaculatory abstinence (EA) duration is a critical factor influencing semen parameters.
  • Optimal EA periods are debated, impacting routine and advanced sperm analyses.
  • Understanding EA effects is crucial for accurate fertility assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of varying ejaculatory abstinence (EA) durations on standard and advanced semen analyses.
  • To determine if shorter EA periods affect sperm quality and DNA integrity.
  • To identify potential strategies for optimizing sperm quality through modified EA.

Main Methods:

  • Semen samples were collected from men with normozoospermia after 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days of abstinence.
  • Standard semen analysis was performed, alongside assessments for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sperm DNA fragmentation.
  • Abstinence periods were categorized into short (1 day), WHO-recommended (2-7 days), and long (9-11 days) for comparison.

Main Results:

  • Semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count significantly increased with longer abstinence durations.
  • Sperm DNA fragmentation was inversely correlated with EA length, with shortest fragmentation observed after 1 and 2 days of abstinence.
  • Short EA (1 day) did not negatively impact semen parameters based on 2010 WHO criteria, despite significant changes between EA groups.

Conclusions:

  • Shortening ejaculatory abstinence (EA) is not detrimental to sperm quality in men with normozoospermia.
  • Reduced EA duration is a viable strategy for decreasing sperm DNA fragmentation.
  • Considering accurate abstinence times is essential for managing male infertility, even within recommended ranges.