Influence of the abstinence period on human sperm quality.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of ejaculatory abstinence on within-subject semen parameters and DNA fragmentation.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Private infertility institute and university-based research laboratory.


METHODS
Sixteen consenting male volunteers undergoing infertility investigation.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Within-subject analysis of World Health Organization semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin packaging after 1, 3, 5, and 8 days' abstinence.


RESULTS
Of 16 men recruited, data for 11 men were included for statistical analysis because 5 men did not strictly comply with abstinence criteria. Duration of abstinence had a statistically significant positive influence on sperm concentration and semen volume. Abstinence had no statistically significant influence on pH, viability, total and grade A motility, or morphology. The percentage of DNA fragmentation remained unchanged relative to abstinence. The percentage of sperm with immature chromatin was statistically significantly increased with 1 day of abstinence.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to report on within-subject semen parameter, DNA fragmentation, and chromatin packaging variations after specified target days of abstinence. Sperm numbers and semen volume increased with duration of abstinence. Abstinence did not influence pH, viability, morphology, total or grade A motility, or sperm DNA fragmentation. A short (24-hour) abstinence period negatively influenced chromatin quality.
De Jonge
Christopher
C
Reproductive Medicine Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. dejonge@umn.edu
LaFromboise
Marie
M
Bosmans
Eugene
E
Ombelet
Willem
W
Cox
Annemie
A
Nijs
Martine
M
D000328:Adult; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D002843:Chromatin; D004247:DNA