title: Effect of time interval between ejaculations on semen parameters.
abstract: The suggested abstinence period prior to performing a semen analysis has been 2-5 days. If one allows too long of an interval between ejaculates, motility will decrease significantly. This study was designed to evaluate whether any of the semen parameters change with increasing intervals of time between ejaculates and, if so, what parameters are involved. A derived calculation total-live sperm count (product of count/milliliter x volume x percent motility) was significantly lower at 3 days than at 7-, 10-, and 14-day intervals. Sperm count and motility showed a significant decrease at 14 days as compared to 7 days but not to 3 days. There were no significant differences between motility, the hypoosmotic swelling test, velocity, linearity, motile density, or morphology (with strict criteria). The ideal abstinence interval is between 7 and 10 days not 2-3 days, and motility does not appear to significantly decrease with a long interval between ejaculates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Check
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004542:Ejaculation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D013997:Time Factors