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Trends in Semen Quality: A Contrasting Perspective From a Single-Centre Review in Ireland.

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Τίτλος: Trends in Semen Quality: A Contrasting Perspective From a Single-Centre Review in Ireland.
Συγγραφείς: Nolan C; Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.; National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.; School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland., Jackson H; National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland., Looney A; St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland., Cullinane J; Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland., Glover LE; Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.; School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland., Crosby D; Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.; National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.; School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland., Allen C; Merrion Fertility Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.; National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.; School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Πηγή: Andrology [Andrology] 2026 Jul; Vol. 14 (5), pp. 1164-1171. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Feb 12.
Τύπος έκδοσης: Journal Article
Γλώσσα: English
Στοιχεία περιοδικού: Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101585129 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2047-2927 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20472919 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Andrology Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Oxford : Wiley-Blackwell, 2013-
Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): Semen Analysis*/trends , Infertility, Male*/epidemiology, Ireland/epidemiology ; Sperm Count/trends ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Motility ; Adult ; Longitudinal Studies
Περίληψη: Introduction: Male factor contributes up to half of infertility cases and reports of a global decline in semen quality raise concern for the future of male reproductive health. However, fertility trends can vary by region and population. Interpreting local patterns is crucial for understanding the true trajectory of male fertility. We describe longitudinal trends in semen parameters among men attending a single fertility clinic in Ireland.
Methods: We retrospectively analysed 18,219 semen analyses for 15,413 men attending a fertility clinic between 2008 and 2023. Sperm concentration, progressive motility and total motile sperm count (TMSC) were analysed, with 2021 WHO criteria applied to identify subnormal results. Non-parametric tests were applied to assess temporal changes (Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn's post-hoc test for multiple comparisons). A longitudinal subanalysis compared first and last semen samples among men with repeat testing, and grouped by time interval (<1 year, 1-3 years, 3-5 years, >5 years).
Results: Median sperm concentration increased significantly from 57 M/mL in 2008 to 70 M/mL in 2023 (p < 0.0001), representing a 22.8% rise. TMSC showed a slight, non-significant rise, while progressive motility remained stable over time. The proportion of oligospermic (<16 M/mL) and azoospermic (0 M/mL) samples was unchanged between 2008 (19.5% and 3.7%) and 2023 (21% and 3.6%). Longitudinal intra-individual analysis demonstrated no significant changes in semen parameters across short, medium and long-term follow-up, except for reduced semen volume at 3-5 years.
Conclusions: Contrary to concerning reports of a global decline in semen quality, we observed a significant increase in sperm concentration over a 16-year period, with stable rates of oligospermia and azoospermia. These findings emphasise the importance of regional differences and suggest that local factors such as healthcare access and lifestyle may play a role. Examining local trends provides a more nuanced understanding of overall male fertility trends and may inform targeted clinical and public health strategies.
(© 2026 The Author(s). Andrology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.)
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Contributed Indexing: Keywords: fertility rates; male fertility; male health; microplastics; sperm concentration
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260212 Date Completed: 20260615 Latest Revision: 20260726
Update Code: 20260726
PubMed Central ID: PMC13266428
DOI: 10.1111/andr.70193
PMID: 41674371
Βάση Δεδομένων: MEDLINE
Περιγραφή
ISSN:2047-2927
DOI:10.1111/andr.70193