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Niels Jorgensen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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semen quality as a predictor of subsequent morbidity a danish cohort study of 4 712 men with long term follow up
American Journal of Epidemiology, 2017Co-Authors: Tabassam Latif, Niels Jorgensen, Tina Kold Jensen, Jesper Mehlsen, Stine A Holmboe, Louise Brinth, Kirsten Pors, Sven O Skouby, Rune LindahljacobsenAbstract:Semen quality has been suggested to be a biological marker of long-term morbidity and mortality; however, few studies have been conducted on this subject. We identified 5,370 men seen for infertility at Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark, during 1977-2010, and 4,712 of these men were followed in the Danish National Patient Registry until first hospitalization, death, or the end of the study. We classified patients according to hospitalizations and the presence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, testicular cancer, or prostate cancer. We found a clear association between Sperm Concentration below 15 million/mL and all-cause hospitalizations (hazard ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.4, 1.6) and cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio = 1.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.2, 1.6), compared with men with a Concentration above 40 million/mL. The probabilities for hospitalizations were also higher with a low total Sperm count and low motility. Men with a Sperm Concentration of 195-200 million/mL were, on average, hospitalized for the first time 7 years later than were men with a Sperm Concentration of 0-5 million/mL. Semen quality was associated with long-term morbidity, and a significantly higher risk of hospitalization was found, in particular for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Our study supports the suggestion that semen quality is a strong biomarker of general health.
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validation of image cytometry for Sperm Concentration measurement comparison with manual counting of 4010 human semen samples
Clinica Chimica Acta, 2017Co-Authors: Dorte Louise Egeberg Palme, Niels Jorgensen, Trine Holm Johannsen, Jorgen Holm Petersen, Niels E Skakkebaek, Anders Juul, Kristian AlmstrupAbstract:Abstract Sperm Concentration is an essential parameter in the diagnostic evaluation of men from infertile couples. It is usually determined by manual counting using a hemocytometer, and is therefore both laborious and subjective. We have earlier shown that a newly developed image cytometry (IC) method may be used to determine Sperm Concentration. Here we present a validation of the IC method by analysis of 4010 semen samples. There was high agreement between IC and manual counting at Sperm Concentrations above 3 mill/ml and in samples with Concentrations above 12 mill/ml the two methods can be used interchangeable. However, we found substantial differences in samples below 3 mill/ml. We also assessed the accuracy of the two methods by repeated measurements of 248 samples, which revealed that IC measurements seemed more accurate. Moreover, based on ten samples counted by several operators the IC method had a lower coefficient of variation than the manual method (5% vs 10%), indicating a better precision of the IC method. In conclusion, measurement of Sperm Concentration by IC can be used at Concentrations above 3 mill/ml and seems more accurate and precise than manual counting, making it an attractive option in the daily clinical practice.
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physical activity and television watching in relation to semen quality in young men
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2015Co-Authors: Audrey J. Gaskins, Myriam C. Afeiche, Niels Jorgensen, Jaime Mendiola, Shanna H Swan, Jorge E. ChavarroAbstract:Background Semen quality appears to have declined over the past decades but reasons for this decline are unresolved. The concurrent increase in sedentary behaviour may be a contributing factor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of physical activity and television (TV) watching with Sperm parameters in a population of young, healthy men. Methods Men aged 18–22 years (n=189) from the Rochester Young Men9s Study (2009–2010) participated in this analysis. Physical activity (h/week of moderate and vigorous exercise) and TV watching (h/week of TV, video or DVD watching) over the past 3 months were assessed via questionnaire. Semen quality was assessed by Sperm Concentration, motility, morphology and total Sperm count. Results Sperm Concentration and total Sperm count were directly related to physical activity after multivariable adjustment (p-trend=0.01 and 0.04); men in the highest quartile of moderate-to-vigorous activity (≥15 h/week) had 73% (95% CI 15% to 160%) higher Sperm Concentration than men in the lowest quartile ( 20 h/week) had 44% (95% CI 15 to 63%) lower Sperm Concentration than men in the lowest quartile (0 h/week). These measures of physical and leisure time activities were not significantly associated with Sperm motility or morphology. Conclusions In this population of healthy men, higher moderate-to-vigorous activity and less TV watching were significantly associated with higher total Sperm count and Sperm Concentration.
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Sperm Concentration testicular volume and age predict risk of carcinoma in situ in contralateral testis of men with testicular germ cell cancer
The Journal of Urology, 2013Co-Authors: Camilla Nymann Rud, Jorgen Holm Petersen, Niels E Skakkebaek, Gedske Daugaard, Ewa Rajpertde Meyts, Niels JorgensenAbstract:Purpose: We investigated whether semen quality or some easily attainable clinical parameters might be used to estimate the risk of contralateral carcinoma in situ in patients with unilateral testicular germ cell tumors.Materials and Methods: A total of 264 Danish patients with testicular germ cell tumor with or without contralateral testicular carcinoma in situ were retrospectively investigated. Clinical data included andrological history, physical examination, testis ultrasonography, semen quality and testis histology. Study groups were compared by univariate linear regression analysis and the chi-square test. Associations between contralateral carcinoma in situ and risk factors were modeled in 2 stages: Bayes rule was used to assess the probability of carcinoma in situ; the terms in Bayes rule were estimated using regression models.Results: Significant characteristics of patients with contralateral carcinoma in situ were lower Sperm Concentration, smaller contralateral testis volume, irregular ultrasoni...
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human semen quality in the new millennium a prospective cross sectional population based study of 4867 men
BMJ Open, 2012Co-Authors: Niels Jorgensen, Tina Kold Jensen, Anders Juul, Kristian Almstrup, Annamaria Andersson, Elisabeth Carlsen, Ulla Nordstrom Joensen, Martin Blomberg Jensen, Inge Ahlmann Olesen, Jorgen Holm PetersenAbstract:Objectives Considerable interest and controversy over a possible decline in semen quality during the 20th century raised concern that semen quality could have reached a critically low level where it might affect human reproduction. The authors therefore initiated a study to assess reproductive health in men from the general population and to monitor changes in semen quality over time. Design Cross-sectional study of men from the general Danish population. Inclusion criteria were place of residence in the Copenhagen area, and both the man and his mother being born and raised in Denmark. Men with severe or chronic diseases were not included. Setting Danish one-centre study. Participants 4867 men, median age 19 years, included from 1996 to 2010. Outcome measures Semen volume, Sperm Concentration, total Sperm count, Sperm motility and Sperm morphology. Results Only 23% of participants had optimal Sperm Concentration and Sperm morphology. Comparing with historic data of men attending a Copenhagen infertility clinic in the 1940s and men who recently became fathers, these two groups had significantly better semen quality than our study group from the general population. Over the 15 years, median Sperm Concentration increased from 43 to 48 million/ml (p=0.02) and total Sperm count from 132 to 151 million (p=0.001). The median percentage of motile Spermatozoa and abnormal Spermatozoa were 68% and 93%, and did not change during the study period. Conclusions This large prospective study of semen quality among young men of the general population showed an increasing trend in Sperm Concentration and total Sperm count. However, only one in four men had optimal semen quality. In addition, one in four will most likely face a prolonged waiting time to pregnancy if they in the future want to father a child and another 15% are at risk of the need of fertility treatment. Thus, reduced semen quality seems so frequent that it may impair the fertility rates and further increase the demand for assisted reproduction.
Jacques Auger - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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time to pregnancy and semen parameters a cross sectional study among fertile couples from four european cities
Human Reproduction, 2002Co-Authors: Remy Slama, Niels Jorgensen, Tina Kold Jensen, Francis Eustache, Beatrice Ducot, Antero Horte, S Irvine, J Suominen, Annegrethe Andersen, Jacques AugerAbstract:BACKGROUND: In fertile populations, little is known about the association between semen parameters and time to pregnancy (TTP). METHODS: Pregnant women from Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Paris and Turku who conceived without medical intervention were asked for their TTP (942 couples), and their partners provided a semen sample. The proportion of morphologically normal Sperm and the multiple anomalies index (MAI, ratio of the total number of anomalies to the number of abnormal Sperm) were centrally estimated. We estimated rate ratios for the occurrence of a pregnancy by a discrete survival model, adjusted for sexual activity and female factors affecting fecundity. RESULTS: Increasing Sperm Concentration influenced TTP up to 5510 6 /ml. The proportion of morphologically normal Sperm influenced TTP up to 39% according to David’s criteria, and this association held among the subjects with a Sperm Concentration >5510 6 /ml. For strict criteria, the threshold value was 19% normal Sperm. An increase of 0.5 in MAI was associated with an adjusted rate ratio for the occurrence of a pregnancy of 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.85). CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of Sperm morphology parameters and indicate that the effect of proportion of normal Sperm on TTP may be independent of Sperm Concentration.
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semen quality and male reproductive health the controversy about human Sperm Concentration decline
Apmis, 2001Co-Authors: Pierre Jouannet, Christina Wang, Florence Eustache, Tina Koldjensen, Jacques AugerAbstract:Concern about the effect of environmental changes on male reproductive health has grown in recent years to become a major preoccupation in some developed countries. A possible decline in human Sperm Concentration was suggested in the early seventies following studies in the US. In 1992 a meta-analysis of 61 articles published by Carlsen et al. concluded that the mean Sperm count of healthy men had declined by 1% per year over the previous 50 years. From 1995 and onwards, some retrospective, longitudinal analyses of the Sperm count of fertile or infertile men contradicted this while others did not. The demonstration of a geographical variation in Sperm Concentration, between and within countries or regions, appears to be less controversial. The amplitude of the difference observed cannot only be explained by methodological or confounding factors, and must to some extent be attributed to ethnic, genetic or environmental factors. As many of the published studies suffer from imprecision regarding the description of population characteristics and confounding factors, and were not designed with controlled and standardised methodology, the debate remains open. Prospective studies in well-defined cohorts of men in various populations are required to evaluate the potential effect of external factors on male reproductive health. These studies should not be limited to the analysis of Sperm Concentration, as this may not be the best biomarker of testis function and human fertility.
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intra and inter individual variability in human Sperm Concentration motility and vitality assessment during a workshop involving ten laboratories
Human Reproduction, 2000Co-Authors: Jacques Auger, Francis Eustache, Beatrice Ducot, T Blandin, Myriam Daudin, Inmaculada Aznar Diaz, El S Matribi, B Gony, L Keskes, M KolbezenAbstract:The aim of the present study was to assess variability in the evaluation of human Sperm Concentration, motility and vitality. Technicians and biologists from 10 teams involved in multicentre studies on semen quality attended the same laboratory, each team using its own methods and equipment to analyse the same semen samples. Inter-individual variability was assessed from 17 fresh semen samples of varying quality. Intra-individual variability was assessed from pools of frozen samples for Sperm Concentration and motility and stained smears for vitality with three blind evaluations by sample and smear. The mean inter-individual coefficients of variation were 22.9, 21.8 and 17.5% for Sperm Concentration, motility and vitality respectively. There was no statistical difference among participants for Sperm Concentration assessment, but significant differences for both motility and vitality (both P: < 0.05). The mean intra-individual coefficients of variation were 15.8, 26.2 and 13.1% for Sperm Concentration, motility and vitality respectively, with marked differences between expert and novice participants: Concentration 9.8% versus 28.0%; motility 22.8% versus 33.0%; and vitality 10.0% versus 19.3%. The present data confirm the need for external quality control schemes for diagnostic purposes, and indicate their utmost importance in multicentre studies on semen quality.
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semen analysis performed by different laboratory teams an intervariation study
International Journal of Andrology, 1997Co-Authors: Niels Jorgensen, Jacques Auger, A Giwercman, D S Irvine, Tina Kold Jensen, Pierre Jouannet, Niels Keiding, Le C Bon, E Macdonald, A M PekuriAbstract:Some recent studies have indicated that Sperm Concentration has decreased during the last 50 years. However, comparisons between laboratories have revealed that geographical differences seem to exist and that any decrease may not be global. One point of criticism concerning comparison of results from different laboratories has been that some of the discrepancies detected could reflect the lack of standardized methods used in the different laboratories. Four teams, each consisting of one physician and one technician from groups which have recently published data on semen quality, met in order to evaluate the variability between their laboratories on semen analysis. Twenty-six fresh semen samples from unselected men were analysed. The groups analysed the samples according to the normal practice in their laboratories, using their own equipment. The variation between laboratories was estimated through a random effects model. For Sperm Concentration and semen volume assessment a remarkable consistency between laboratories was detected, in contrast to the very considerable inter-individual variation. For Sperm motility and morphology assessments interlaboratory consistency was much poorer. In conclusion, evaluation of Sperm motility and morphology characteristics requires further standardization in order to achieve comparable data from different laboratories. However, semen volume and Sperm Concentration are characteristics which can be compared reliably between laboratories, when similar methodologies are used.
Sheri L Spunt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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cumulative alkylating agent exposure and semen parameters in adult survivors of childhood cancer a report from the st jude lifetime cohort study
Lancet Oncology, 2014Co-Authors: Daniel M Green, Charles A Sklar, Wei Liu, William H Kutteh, Kyla Shelton, Wassim Chemaitilly, Chinghon Pui, James L Klosky, Sheri L SpuntAbstract:Summary Background Few data define the dose-specific relation between alkylating agent exposure and semen variables in adult survivors of childhood cancer. We undertook this study to test the hypothesis that increased exposure to alkylating agents would be associated with decreased Sperm Concentration in a cohort of adult male survivors of childhood cancer who were not exposed to radiation therapy for their childhood cancer. Methods We did semen analysis on 214 adult male survivors of childhood cancer (median age 7·7 years [range 0·01–20·3] at diagnosis, 29·0 years [18·4–56·1] at assessment, and a median of 21·0 years [10·5–41·6] since diagnosis) who had received alkylating agent chemotherapy but no radiation therapy. Alkylating agent exposure was estimated using the cyclophosphamide equivalent dose (CED). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for oligoSpermia (Sperm Concentration >0 and Findings AzooSpermia was noted in 53 (25%) of 214 participants, oligoSpermia in 59 (28%), and normoSpermia (Sperm Concentration ≥15 million per mL) in 102 (48%) participants. 31 (89%) of 35 participants who received CED less than 4000 mg/m 2 were normoSpermic. CED was negatively correlated with Sperm Concentration (correlation coefficient=–0·37, p 2 (SD 7274) in patients with azooSpermia, 8480 mg/m 2 (4264) in patients with oligoSpermia, and 6626 mg/m 2 (3576) in patients with normoSpermia. In multivariable analysis, CED was significantly associated with an increased risk per 1000 mg/m 2 CED for azooSpermia (OR 1·22, 95% CI 1·11–1·34), and for oligoSpermia (1·14, 1·04–1·25), but age at diagnosis and age at assessment were not. Interpretation Impaired Spermatogenesis was unlikely when the CED was less than 4000 mg/m 2 . Although Sperm Concentration decreases with increasing CED, there was substantial overlap of CED associated with normoSpermia, oligoSpermia, and azooSpermia. These data can inform pretreatment patient counselling and use of fertility preservation services. Funding US National Cancer Institute, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities.
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alkylating agent exposure and Sperm Concentration in adult survivors of childhood cancer a report from the st jude lifetime sjlife cohort study
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2014Co-Authors: Daniel M Green, Charles A Sklar, Wei Liu, William H Kutteh, Kyla Shelton, Wassim Chemaitilly, Chinghon Pui, James L Klosky, Sheri L Spunt, Monika L MetzgerAbstract:10010 Background: Male survivors of childhood cancer treated with alkylating agents (AA) are at risk for azooSpermia; however, the long-term dose-risk relationship is unknown. Methods: Of the 287 SJLIFE participants treated with AA but no radiation therapy, 214 provided an evaluable semen sample (mean age at diagnosis: 7.9 years, mean age at evaluation: 29.8 years, and mean years from diagnosis to evaluation: 21.6 years). Survivors were categorized as azooSpermia, oligoSpermia (Sperm Concentration > 0 and < 15 million/ml), or normoSpermia (Sperm Concentration ≥ 15 million/ml). AA exposure was estimated using the cyclophosphamide equivalent dose (CED). Risks were estimated using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results: Among survivors 24.8% had azooSpermia, 27.6% oligoSpermia, and 47.6% normoSpermia (Table). CED was negatively correlated with Sperm Concentration (r = - 0.25, p< 0.001). Neither age at diagnosis nor age at evaluation was si...
Tina Kold Jensen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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semen quality as a predictor of subsequent morbidity a danish cohort study of 4 712 men with long term follow up
American Journal of Epidemiology, 2017Co-Authors: Tabassam Latif, Niels Jorgensen, Tina Kold Jensen, Jesper Mehlsen, Stine A Holmboe, Louise Brinth, Kirsten Pors, Sven O Skouby, Rune LindahljacobsenAbstract:Semen quality has been suggested to be a biological marker of long-term morbidity and mortality; however, few studies have been conducted on this subject. We identified 5,370 men seen for infertility at Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark, during 1977-2010, and 4,712 of these men were followed in the Danish National Patient Registry until first hospitalization, death, or the end of the study. We classified patients according to hospitalizations and the presence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, testicular cancer, or prostate cancer. We found a clear association between Sperm Concentration below 15 million/mL and all-cause hospitalizations (hazard ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.4, 1.6) and cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio = 1.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.2, 1.6), compared with men with a Concentration above 40 million/mL. The probabilities for hospitalizations were also higher with a low total Sperm count and low motility. Men with a Sperm Concentration of 195-200 million/mL were, on average, hospitalized for the first time 7 years later than were men with a Sperm Concentration of 0-5 million/mL. Semen quality was associated with long-term morbidity, and a significantly higher risk of hospitalization was found, in particular for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Our study supports the suggestion that semen quality is a strong biomarker of general health.
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human semen quality in the new millennium a prospective cross sectional population based study of 4867 men
BMJ Open, 2012Co-Authors: Niels Jorgensen, Tina Kold Jensen, Anders Juul, Kristian Almstrup, Annamaria Andersson, Elisabeth Carlsen, Ulla Nordstrom Joensen, Martin Blomberg Jensen, Inge Ahlmann Olesen, Jorgen Holm PetersenAbstract:Objectives Considerable interest and controversy over a possible decline in semen quality during the 20th century raised concern that semen quality could have reached a critically low level where it might affect human reproduction. The authors therefore initiated a study to assess reproductive health in men from the general population and to monitor changes in semen quality over time. Design Cross-sectional study of men from the general Danish population. Inclusion criteria were place of residence in the Copenhagen area, and both the man and his mother being born and raised in Denmark. Men with severe or chronic diseases were not included. Setting Danish one-centre study. Participants 4867 men, median age 19 years, included from 1996 to 2010. Outcome measures Semen volume, Sperm Concentration, total Sperm count, Sperm motility and Sperm morphology. Results Only 23% of participants had optimal Sperm Concentration and Sperm morphology. Comparing with historic data of men attending a Copenhagen infertility clinic in the 1940s and men who recently became fathers, these two groups had significantly better semen quality than our study group from the general population. Over the 15 years, median Sperm Concentration increased from 43 to 48 million/ml (p=0.02) and total Sperm count from 132 to 151 million (p=0.001). The median percentage of motile Spermatozoa and abnormal Spermatozoa were 68% and 93%, and did not change during the study period. Conclusions This large prospective study of semen quality among young men of the general population showed an increasing trend in Sperm Concentration and total Sperm count. However, only one in four men had optimal semen quality. In addition, one in four will most likely face a prolonged waiting time to pregnancy if they in the future want to father a child and another 15% are at risk of the need of fertility treatment. Thus, reduced semen quality seems so frequent that it may impair the fertility rates and further increase the demand for assisted reproduction.
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time to pregnancy and semen parameters a cross sectional study among fertile couples from four european cities
Human Reproduction, 2002Co-Authors: Remy Slama, Niels Jorgensen, Tina Kold Jensen, Francis Eustache, Beatrice Ducot, Antero Horte, S Irvine, J Suominen, Annegrethe Andersen, Jacques AugerAbstract:BACKGROUND: In fertile populations, little is known about the association between semen parameters and time to pregnancy (TTP). METHODS: Pregnant women from Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Paris and Turku who conceived without medical intervention were asked for their TTP (942 couples), and their partners provided a semen sample. The proportion of morphologically normal Sperm and the multiple anomalies index (MAI, ratio of the total number of anomalies to the number of abnormal Sperm) were centrally estimated. We estimated rate ratios for the occurrence of a pregnancy by a discrete survival model, adjusted for sexual activity and female factors affecting fecundity. RESULTS: Increasing Sperm Concentration influenced TTP up to 5510 6 /ml. The proportion of morphologically normal Sperm influenced TTP up to 39% according to David’s criteria, and this association held among the subjects with a Sperm Concentration >5510 6 /ml. For strict criteria, the threshold value was 19% normal Sperm. An increase of 0.5 in MAI was associated with an adjusted rate ratio for the occurrence of a pregnancy of 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.85). CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of Sperm morphology parameters and indicate that the effect of proportion of normal Sperm on TTP may be independent of Sperm Concentration.
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relation between semen quality and fertility a population based study of 430 first pregnancy planners
The Lancet, 1998Co-Authors: Jens Peter Bonde, Tina Kold Jensen, Aleksander Giwercman, Niels E Skakkebaek, Niels Henrik Hjollund, Thomas H Scheike, Henrik A Kolstad, Tine Brink Henriksen, Erik Ernst, Jorn OlsenAbstract:Summary Background Semen analysis is part of the routine assessment of infertile couples. WHO defines a Sperm Concentration above 20×10 6 per mL seminal fluid as normal. We studied the association between semen quality and the probability of conception in a single menstrual cycle in Danish couples with no previous reproductive experience. Methods In 1992–94, we invited 52 255 trades-union members aged 20–35 years, who lived with a partner and had no children to take part in the study; 430 couples agreed. The couples discontinued use of contraception, and were followed up for six menstrual cycles or until a pregnancy was verified within this period. Each man was asked to provide a semen sample at enrolment (which was analysed without freezing). Women kept a daily record of vaginal bleeding and sexual activity. The association between semen quality and likelihood of pregnancy was assessed by logistic regression, adjusted for sexual activity and female factors associated with low fertility. Results There were 256 (59·5%) pregnancies among the 430 couples: 165 (65·0%) among those with a Sperm Concentration of 40×10 6 /mL or more and 84 (51·2%) among those with lower Sperm Concentrations. The probability of conception increased with increasing Sperm Concentration up to 40×10 6 /mL, but any higher Sperm density was not associated with additional likelihood of pregnancy. The proportion of Sperm with normal morphology was strongly related to likelihood of pregnancy independently of Sperm Concentration. Semen volume and motility were of limited value in pregnancy prediction. Interpretation Our study suggests that the current WHO guidelines for normal semen quality should be used with caution. Some men with Sperm counts above the lower limit of the normal range defined by WHO may in fact be subfertile.
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inhibin b as a serum marker of Spermatogenesis correlation to differences in Sperm Concentration and follicle stimulating hormone levels a study of 349 danish men
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 1997Co-Authors: Tina Kold Jensen, Aleksander Giwercman, Annamaria Andersson, Niels Henrik Hjollund, Thomas H Scheike, Henrik A Kolstad, Tine Brink Henriksen, Erik Ernst, Jens Peter Bonde, Jorn OlsenAbstract:Recent studies have focused on reproductive health of men in the general population. However, semen samples are difficult to obtain within sampling frames that allow comparisons. Blood samples are easier to obtain than ejaculates. Therefore, serum biomarkers of Spermatogenesis are of major interest for population studies. FSH has previously been used as a marker of Spermatogenesis, although it is also influenced by the hypothalamus. Serum inhibin B was recently suggested as a possible, more direct serum marker of Spermatogenesis in men with testicular disorders. In a Danish nationwide collaborative study, we found an unexpected difference in semen Concentration between two groups of men recruited from two different centres. We, therefore, analyzed reproductive hormones in blood, including inhibin B, to test whether the observed difference in semen Concentration was reflected in the reproductive hormones. From 1992 to 1995, a total of 430 men, 20-35 yr old, who lived with a partner and who had not previously attempted to achieve a pregnancy, were recruited. The couples were enrolled into the study in one of two centres (centre A, n = 231; and centre B, n = 199) when they discontinued birth control. At enrollment, they provided a semen sample (n = 419), and a blood sample was drawn (n = 349). The semen analysis was performed in accordance with the WHO 1992 guidelines, and interlaboratory differences were tested. Inhibin B was measured in an enzyme immunometric assay, which has previously been described. All blood samples were analyzed in the same laboratory. Median Sperm Concentration and the percentage of morphologically normal Spermatozoa were significantly higher among men from centre A (56.0 mill/mL and 42.5%), compared with men from centre B (44.8 mill/mL and 39%). Men from centre B had a significantly higher median FSH (3.42 IU/L) and a lower inhibin B (186 pg/mL) than men from centre A (3.21 IU/L and 209 pg/mL). The differences persisted after control for potentially confounding variables. A significant correlation was found between the cubic root-transformed serum FSH and inhibin B levels (r = -0.61, P < 0.001), between the cubic root-transformed serum FSH and Sperm Concentration (r = -0.40, P < 0.001), and between the cubic root-transformed inhibin B and Sperm Concentration (r = 0.38, P < 0.001). The predictive power of detecting Sperm counts below 20 mill/mL among men who's inhibin B and FSH both were below 80 pg/mL and above 10 IU/L, respectively, was 100%. The unexpected significant difference in semen Concentration between two groups of normal Danish men was probably caused by differences in sampling procedures in the two centres where the men were recruited, rather than geographical differences. However, similar differences in serum levels of inhibin B and FSH between centres were found. These findings suggest that a real difference in Spermatogenic potential between the two groups of men existed. We suggest that serum inhibin B, in future population studies on male reproductive health, may serve as a new marker of Spermatogenesis, in addition to Sperm Concentration and serum FSH.
Jorgen Holm Petersen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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validation of image cytometry for Sperm Concentration measurement comparison with manual counting of 4010 human semen samples
Clinica Chimica Acta, 2017Co-Authors: Dorte Louise Egeberg Palme, Niels Jorgensen, Trine Holm Johannsen, Jorgen Holm Petersen, Niels E Skakkebaek, Anders Juul, Kristian AlmstrupAbstract:Abstract Sperm Concentration is an essential parameter in the diagnostic evaluation of men from infertile couples. It is usually determined by manual counting using a hemocytometer, and is therefore both laborious and subjective. We have earlier shown that a newly developed image cytometry (IC) method may be used to determine Sperm Concentration. Here we present a validation of the IC method by analysis of 4010 semen samples. There was high agreement between IC and manual counting at Sperm Concentrations above 3 mill/ml and in samples with Concentrations above 12 mill/ml the two methods can be used interchangeable. However, we found substantial differences in samples below 3 mill/ml. We also assessed the accuracy of the two methods by repeated measurements of 248 samples, which revealed that IC measurements seemed more accurate. Moreover, based on ten samples counted by several operators the IC method had a lower coefficient of variation than the manual method (5% vs 10%), indicating a better precision of the IC method. In conclusion, measurement of Sperm Concentration by IC can be used at Concentrations above 3 mill/ml and seems more accurate and precise than manual counting, making it an attractive option in the daily clinical practice.
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Sperm Concentration testicular volume and age predict risk of carcinoma in situ in contralateral testis of men with testicular germ cell cancer
The Journal of Urology, 2013Co-Authors: Camilla Nymann Rud, Jorgen Holm Petersen, Niels E Skakkebaek, Gedske Daugaard, Ewa Rajpertde Meyts, Niels JorgensenAbstract:Purpose: We investigated whether semen quality or some easily attainable clinical parameters might be used to estimate the risk of contralateral carcinoma in situ in patients with unilateral testicular germ cell tumors.Materials and Methods: A total of 264 Danish patients with testicular germ cell tumor with or without contralateral testicular carcinoma in situ were retrospectively investigated. Clinical data included andrological history, physical examination, testis ultrasonography, semen quality and testis histology. Study groups were compared by univariate linear regression analysis and the chi-square test. Associations between contralateral carcinoma in situ and risk factors were modeled in 2 stages: Bayes rule was used to assess the probability of carcinoma in situ; the terms in Bayes rule were estimated using regression models.Results: Significant characteristics of patients with contralateral carcinoma in situ were lower Sperm Concentration, smaller contralateral testis volume, irregular ultrasoni...
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human semen quality in the new millennium a prospective cross sectional population based study of 4867 men
BMJ Open, 2012Co-Authors: Niels Jorgensen, Tina Kold Jensen, Anders Juul, Kristian Almstrup, Annamaria Andersson, Elisabeth Carlsen, Ulla Nordstrom Joensen, Martin Blomberg Jensen, Inge Ahlmann Olesen, Jorgen Holm PetersenAbstract:Objectives Considerable interest and controversy over a possible decline in semen quality during the 20th century raised concern that semen quality could have reached a critically low level where it might affect human reproduction. The authors therefore initiated a study to assess reproductive health in men from the general population and to monitor changes in semen quality over time. Design Cross-sectional study of men from the general Danish population. Inclusion criteria were place of residence in the Copenhagen area, and both the man and his mother being born and raised in Denmark. Men with severe or chronic diseases were not included. Setting Danish one-centre study. Participants 4867 men, median age 19 years, included from 1996 to 2010. Outcome measures Semen volume, Sperm Concentration, total Sperm count, Sperm motility and Sperm morphology. Results Only 23% of participants had optimal Sperm Concentration and Sperm morphology. Comparing with historic data of men attending a Copenhagen infertility clinic in the 1940s and men who recently became fathers, these two groups had significantly better semen quality than our study group from the general population. Over the 15 years, median Sperm Concentration increased from 43 to 48 million/ml (p=0.02) and total Sperm count from 132 to 151 million (p=0.001). The median percentage of motile Spermatozoa and abnormal Spermatozoa were 68% and 93%, and did not change during the study period. Conclusions This large prospective study of semen quality among young men of the general population showed an increasing trend in Sperm Concentration and total Sperm count. However, only one in four men had optimal semen quality. In addition, one in four will most likely face a prolonged waiting time to pregnancy if they in the future want to father a child and another 15% are at risk of the need of fertility treatment. Thus, reduced semen quality seems so frequent that it may impair the fertility rates and further increase the demand for assisted reproduction.
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effects of ejaculatory frequency and season on variations in semen quality
Fertility and Sterility, 2004Co-Authors: Elisabeth Carlsen, Jorgen Holm Petersen, Annamaria Andersson, Niels E SkakkebaekAbstract:Abstract Objective To describe the intraindividual variation in semen parameters. Design Prospective, longitudinal study. Setting Academic research environment. Patient(s) Twenty-seven healthy men, followed monthly for 16 months. Intervention(s) Monthly semen samples were collected, as well as information regarding duration of abstinence, febrile episodes, and ejaculatory frequency. Main outcome measure(s) Sperm Concentration, percentage immotile Spermatozoa, and percentage morphologically normal Spermatozoa. Result(s) There were no significant seasonal variations in Sperm Concentration, motility, or morphology. The ejaculatory frequency was significantly higher during spring compared with winter months. There was a significant difference in Sperm Concentration with respect to having one, two, or more than two ejaculations during a 7-day period before the abstinence period. Sperm motility and morphology were not affected by ejaculatory frequency. Duration of abstinence, ejaculatory frequency, and fever accounted only little for the high intraindividual variation in individual semen parameters. Three semen samples compared with two reduced the intraindividual variations as follows: Sperm Concentration from 41% to 33.5%, percentage normal Spermatozoa from 6.9% to 5.7%, and percentage immotile Spermatozoa from 19% to 15.5%. Conclusion(s) Ejaculatory frequency but not season significantly affected Sperm Concentration. Most of the intraindividual variations in semen parameters could not be explained by duration of abstinence, fever, or ejaculatory frequency.
