Male Reproductive Health - study of a sperm donor population

Every individual has the right to a safe and satisfactory sex and reproductive life. Therefore, several countries have made efforts to make Reproductive Health resources available to their populations. However, few results have been published regarding the policies implemented in Portugal. This study looked into the reproductive health status of the Portuguese male population.

Sperm donor candidates from the Portuguese Public Gamete Bank registered between 2011 and 2018 were included in the study. Spermogram findings were evaluated with respect to sociodemographic and risk factors.

This is the first study performed in this population. We found that sperm quality has decreased throughout the last nine years, and that spermatozoa progressive motility is inversely correlated with the body mass index. An association between drug use and decreased sperm pH was also found.

Changes in sperm quality have important consequences in male fertility. Most of the identified causes of decreased sperm quality are modifiable factors and should therefore be addressed since an early age.