Muhammad Shoaib Khan, Irshad Ali, Zulfaqar A Khan, Faheem Tahir, Fazli Subhan, Fariyal Deepa, Waheed Alam, Birjees Mazhar Kazi, Karamat Ahmed Karamat.
Pattern of semen characteristics in infertile males.
Gomal J Med Sci Jan ;3(1):6-9.

Background: To observe the variation in semen quality of infertile men, with the purpose of generating preliminary data in our population. Material & Methods: Analysis of semen including volume, liquefaction time, pH, sperm concentration and quality was carried out over a period of 14 months from November 2003 to December 2004. A total of 350 men presenting as infertile couples were studied. Semen analysis was performed in Department of Reproductive Physiology/Health, Public Health Laboratories Division, National Institute of Health, Islamabad, as a part of fertility assessment. Results: According to the sperm concentration, the samples were categorized in four different groups; (A) Azoospermic group having absence of sperms, (B) Oligozoospermic group with a sperm concentration of less than 20 million/ml, (C) Asthenozoospermic group with a sperm concentration greater than 20 million/ml but with less than 25% of progressive motility and (D) Normozoospermic group with a sperm concentration of more than 20 million/ml and sperm motility of 60% or greater, with more than 25% progressive motility. Linear regression analysis shows a decrease in semen volume in group A and B. The mean liquefaction time showing linear increase in group A and B. The pH did not vary too much among all the groups. The mean of sperm concentration was 0, 6.7+1.7, 45.3+ 8.8 and 86.8 + 7.5 million/ml in groups A, B, C and D respectively. Conclusion: Semen analysis provides important information about the quality and quantity of the sperm and is an integral part of infertility work up.

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