Semen characteristic profiles of men of different ages and duration of infertility

Semen characteristics were evaluated in men (n = 660) attending the inferti lity clinics, vis-ci-vis age and duration of infertility. Men were divided into three groups according to age: 20-29 (n = 148), 30-39 (n = 437), > 40 (n = 75). Duration of infertility was grouped as follows: 1-5 years (n = 31 7), 6-10 years (n = 223), > 10 years (n = 120). The routine semen analysis was done according to WHO manual. Various semen parameters like semen volum e, sperm count, motility, morphology and viability were evaluated. Values s howed a decrease with increase in age and duration of infertility. It appea rs from the study that age and duration of infertility contributed to the d ecline in semen quality in men over the age of 40 years in the population s tudied. Thus these two parameters may possibly act as indicators to the qua lity of semen, specially in infertile men.