CHARACTERISTICS OF SEMEN PARAMETERS IN A SELECTED POPULATION OF INDIAN MEN OVER A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS

Several reports have appeared in literature an the reported decline in semen quality globally, The Institute for Research in Reproduction, M umbai, has been analysing semen from fertile as well as infertile men for over two decades. In view of the concerns expressed in the literat ure, we carried out a retrospective study on the data available with u s to find out whether or not similar fall in semen quality can be obse rved in our studies as well. The preliminary results of the analysis o f the data obtained from 1986-1995 is presented. The data from a total of 1505 semen analyses from men enrolled for different programmes was analysed. For comparison, data from proven fertile men were grouped i n two groups, one carried out before 1990 (n=106) and the other after 1990 (n=60), The data based on four seminal parameters: volume, sperm count, motility and morphology of the sperms is reported in this commu nication. The results are reported as mean for each year as well as me an for two year groupings. The data shows a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in sperm count (43%) and a departure from normal sperm morpholog y (30%) over a period of time, No significant changes were seen in the volume and motility, In the fertile group as well, there is a similar reduction in sperm count and sperm morphology. The percent of all men in the category of > 100 million/ml sperm count decreased with a conc omitant increase in the < 20 million/ml group. The preliminary analysi s indicates a decline in semen quality in our group of men over a deca de.