Studies of human seminal parameters with frequent ejaculation II. Spermatozoal vitality and storage

The hypothesis that the percentage of dead spermatozoa in an ejaculate is related to their storage time in the extra-gonadal reserve was tested using a protocol where men followed a set ejaculatory pattern. Semen samples were requested as follows: abstinence from ejaculation for at least 3 days (not more than 7 days) followed by production of the first sample, then one ejaculation per day for 4 consecutive days before the second sample; and, lastly, abstinence for a further 4 days and production of the final sample. Within the time scale of the experiment there was no relationship between the percentage of dead spermatozoa in the ejaculate and the preceding period of abstinence, nor was the percentage of dead spermatozoa related to the total number of spermatozoa present. The percentage of non-motile, but vital, spermatozoa similarly exhibited a random pattern. Thus whatever mechanisms are contributing to the mortality of spermatozoa, they are independent of storage time in the extra-gonadal reserve, and total spermatozoal count. Therefore, in the absence of necrozoospermia, this parameter probably contributes little to the overall diagnosis of infertility, but does allow assessment of the functional spermatozoa present.