Evaluation of sperm counts and total sperm counts in 2543 men requesting vasectomy

Semen analyses were performed on semen specimens from 2543 men requesting vasectomy at Planned Parenthood of Houston and the results were compared to earlier reports of semen analyses in allegedly fertile men. The comparisons suggest that mean sperm counts and mean total sperm counts are significantly lower than those reported in 1951. Furthermore, a shifting pattern of frequency distribution of sperm counts and total sperm counts was noted. Greater percentages of men with sperm counts 20 million/ml and total sperm counts below 100 million/ejaculate were found in the present report and other recent reports than had been noted in 1951. These data suggest that standards of male infertility proposed in 1951 are no longer applicable.