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Human Reproduction, Vol. 14, No. 1, 106-109, January 1999
© 1999 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Diurnal variation of semen quality in human males

A. Cagnacci1, N. Maxia and A. Volpe

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Modena, via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy

The possibility of a diurnal variation in semen quality was tested in 54 human males attending our infertility clinic. Of the enrolled subjects, 24 were normozoospermic and 30 were suffering from oligo- and/or asthenozoospermia. Seminal fluid was collected by masturbation twice by each subject, once in the morning (7:00–7:30 a.m.) and once in the afternoon (5:00–5:30 p.m.). Abstinence from sexual intercourse for 3–4 days before each of the two collections was requested. Semen parameters were evaluated independently by two biologists before and after pellet swim-up. Beside similar macroscopic parameters, specimens collected in the afternoon showed a higher number (P < 0.01) and concentration (P < 0.01) of spermatozoa. Also, immediately (P < 0.05), and at 1 h (P < 0.02) and 2 h (P < 0.01) after pellet swim-up, the number of spermatozoa with progressive linear motility was higher in the afternoon than in the morning. These data are the first documenting a diurnal rhythm in sperm quality which may contribute to the reported variability in semen parameters, and may prove useful for spontaneous and assisted conceptions.

Key words: circadian rhythms/fertility/humans/spermatozoa

1 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Istituto di Clinica Ginecologica e Ostetrica, via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy. E-mail: cagnacci{at}unimo.it


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