Seasonal variations in human seminal parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain data on seasonal variations of sperm parameters in an andrology laboratory.


METHODS
Semen parameter values and hormone values of 2454 patients attending our infertility clinic between 1990 and 1997 were analysed. Seasonal trends were calculated using the method of Edwards [Ann. Hum. Genet. 25 (1961) 83].


RESULTS
The total group of mean sperm count did not show a significant variation, but a significant circannual trend occurred of patients born in the groups 1950-1954, 1955-1959 and 1965-1969. A significant variation of acrosin activity occurred with a maximum in March. The other parameters did no show significant variations.


CONCLUSIONS
The knowledge on circannual variation of semen parameters and hormone values may be of value in diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in reproductive medicine.
Krause
Amrey
A
Edinburgh Parallel Computer Center, The University of Edinburgh, James Clerk Maxwll Building, GB- EH9 3JZ, Edinburgh, UK. krause@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Krause
Walter
W
D000176:Acrosin / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013076:Sperm Count
D000176:Acrosin