Decline in semen quality among infertile men during the past 15 years in Western Algeria (SIDI-BEL-ABBES)

Abstract

The current study aimed at measuring changes in semen quality and quantity in young healthy sperm of the partner in western Algeria over 15 years. A retrospective analysis of semen parameters over 15 years was carried out using linear regression analysis, at the fertility laboratory in West Algeria. Study population consisted of 188 young partners, aged 25 to 35 years, who donated sperm samples for artificial insemination between 2000 and 2015. Their wives with infertility problems were surveyed using questionnaire about their lifestyles and infertility factors. There were no statistically significant changes in semen concentration and motility during the study period. The mean semen volume increased by 0.1 mL per year (P < 0.0001), with a concomitant mean rise of 5.8 × 106 per year in total motile sperm count. The percentage of sperm normal morphology decreased by a mean of 1% per year during the entire period (P < 0.0001). During these 15 past years, there has been an increase in total motile sperm count, and semen volume where-as, a decline in normal sperm morphology has been noticed that is independ-ent of the age and the duration of abstinence of infertile men.