Influence of abstinence length on ejaculate characteristics.
In order to study the influence of sexual abstinence on sperm concentration and semen volume, we have evaluated 195 semen samples of healthy individuals, grouped as follows according to abstinence length: A) 2-4 days; B) 5-7 days; C) more than 7 days. Differences between semen samples collected at home or at the laboratory were also studied. Semen volume was smaller in group A than in group B and C (p less than 0.01), while no significant difference was found in sperm concentration among the three groups. The place of collection did not affect semen characteristics. These results suggest that while a shorter abstinence is associated with a smaller semen volume the length of abstinence does not affect sperm concentration.
Chair of Endocrinology, University of Catania, Ospedale Garibaldi, Italy.
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Padova
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Tita
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Briguglia
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Giuffrida
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013076:Sperm Count