[Epidemiology of male infertility]

The aim of the present study has been to analyze the variation of the main parameters which define sperm quality in a group of men who were referred to our center of sterility during the last ten years of activity.

Over the last ten years, we have examined 3203 men ranging from 25 to 50 years of age. We have considered different parameters of evaluation, such as semen volume, motility, total motility count and morphology of spermatozoa; the same parameters have been considered for a group of 192 men accustomed to consuming coffee, alcohol and tobacco.

We have observed no significative variations with respect to sperm volume; in spite of this result, we have registered a considerable reduction of the frequency of men with normal sperm quality, when we have considered parameter such as sperm motility. The evaluation of the total motility count has confirmed a progressive reduction during the considered period of time. This parameter has also shown the existence of a circannual rhythm for the production of spermatozoa, which results minimum during the winter and during the warmest months, while it improves during spring and autumn. During the considered period, the study of morphology has shown a progressive reduction of men with normal semen quality.

The results of our epidemiologic study, conducted over a group of men who have been referred to our center of sterility during the last ten years, confirm that the group representative of Northern Italy has faced a decline of sperm quality.