Stress factors and semen quality at semen donation in an infertility treatment program

Objective: To evaluate psychosocial stress associated with semen donation a nd to identify relevant predictors of stress perception. Methods: 104 males of couples undergoing infertility treatment were studied in a cross-sectional design. Stress perception was assessed with a standar dized questionnaire. Urinary catecholamine excretion was measured as an ind icator of sympathetic nervous activity. Psychosocial stress was studied as a potential risk factor for abnormal spermiogram findings. Results: Multivariate linear regression showed urinary norepinephrine excre tion (beta=0.42, P=0.013), perceived stress (beta=0.35, P=0.016) and social support (beta=-0.29, P=0.046) to be associated with stress related to seme n donation. Abnormal spermiogram findings were associated with stress relat ed to semen donation (OR=6.0, 95% Cl 2.1-17.5) whereas increasing duration of sexual abstinence was a protective factor (OR per day 0.9, 95 % Cl 0.8 - 1.0). Conclusion: Physicians should focus on reducing treatment related stress pa rticularly by enhancing social support of patients.