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

Semen characteristics were evaluated in men (n = 660) attending the infertility clinics, vis-à-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 = 317), 6–10 years (n = 223), > 10 years (n = 120). The routine semen analysis was done according to WHO manual. Various semen parameters like semen volume, sperm count, motility, morphology and viability were evaluated. Values showed a decrease with increase in age and duration of infertility. It appears from the study that age and duration of infertility contributed to the decline in semen quality in men over the age of 40 years in the population studied. Thus these two parameters may possibly act as indicators to the quality of semen, specially in infertile men.