Semen parameter variability among users of at-home sperm testing kits

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Andrology
• Clinical Laboratory Science

Background:

• Semen analysis results exhibit significant inter- and intra-individual variability.
• This variability can impact the reliability of World Health Organization guidelines.
• Limited research has focused on semen parameter variability in infertile populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate inter- and intra-individual variability of semen parameters.
• To compare variability in men with normozoospermia versus oligozoospermia.
• To assess the impact of at-home semen collection on variability.

Main Methods:

• 513 men provided at least two semen samples over two years.
• Semen samples were collected using an at-home mail-in kit.
• Analysis was performed at a CLIA-certified laboratory.

Main Results:

• Intra-subject variation was lower in normozoospermic men compared to oligozoospermic men.
• Intra-subject variation was lower than inter-subject variation in normozoospermic men.
• No association found between variation and age, abstinence duration, or BMI.

Conclusions:

• Confirms significant semen parameter variability in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men.
• Highlights the importance of multiple semen analyses for robust male fertility assessment.
• At-home collection kit results demonstrate significant variability, underscoring the need for repeated testing.