Abstinence Time and Its Impact on Basic and Advanced Semen Parameters - 01/08/16

Doi : 10.1016/j.urology.2016.03.059

Ashok Agarwal ^a,^* , Sajal Gupta ^a, Stefan Du Plessis ^a,^b, Rakesh Sharma ^a, Sandro C. Esteves ^c, Caroline Cirenza ^a,^d, Jasmine Eliwa ^a,^e, Wedad Al-Najjar ^a,^f, Deepika Kumaresan ^a,^g, Namariq Haroun ^a,^f, Sara Philby ^a,^f, Edmund Sabanegh ^h
^a American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
^b Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
^c ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, SP, Brazil
^d Medical School University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
^e Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University
^f Alfaisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
^g Vinayaka Missions University, Tamil Nadu, India
^h Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

^*Address correspondence to: Ashok Agarwal, Ph.D., H.C.L.D., American Center for Reproductive Medicine, 10681 Carnegie Avenue, Desk X11, Cleveland, OH 44195. Website: ReproductiveResearchCenter.American Center for Reproductive Medicine10681 Carnegie AvenueDesk X11ClevelandOH44195

Abstract

Objective

To assess the effect of ejaculatory abstinence (EA) periods on routine and advanced sperm tests.

Methods

Men with normozoospermia provided semen samples after 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days of abstinence. A standard semen analysis was performed on all samples. Each specimen was assessed for levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sperm DNA fragmentation. Comparison was also made by grouping EA periods into short (1 day), recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) (2-7 days), and long (9-11 days).

Results

Semen volume (P < .001), sperm concentration (P < .001), and total sperm count (P < .001) increased significantly with abstinence length. Sperm DNA fragmentation was associated with the length of EA (P < .001). Both 1 and 2 days of EA had the least amount of DNA fragmentation (P < .001). Significant increase was seen in volume, pH, viscosity, total count, total motile sperm, and DNA fragmentation between short and recommended EA (P < .05), and between recommended and long EA (P < .05). Short EA had no detrimental impact on semen characteristics according to the 2010 WHO thresholds.

Conclusion

Shortening of EA time is not detrimental to sperm quality in men with normozoospermia and is proposed as a method for reducing sperm DNA fragmentation. This strategy could help optimize sperm quality and the chances of natural and assisted conception. Accurate abstinence time should be considered when managing men with infertility problems with semen analyses even when it is within the recommended range.

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Plan

Material and Methods

Standard Semen Analysis

Measurement of ROS

Sperm DNA Fragmentation

Financial Disclosure: The study was supported by funds from the American Center for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Stefan Du Plessis was supported by the Fulbright fellowship. The remaining authors declare that they have no relevant financial interests.