Relationship between Sperm Count with Motility and Viability Rates

The quality of semen is one of the main determinants of male fertility. The fertility of a sperm depends on several parameters, such as count, motility and morphology, which are affected by many factors. The present study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that elevated sperm count leads to high consumption of semen nutrients, which probably has a negative effect on the sperm quality and efficiency. In this descriptive study, spermogram of 278 infertile men referring to one of the medical diagnostic laboratory for semen analysis as part of a work-up for infertility investigations (Rafsanjan, Iran) were investigated. After informed consent and 3-5 days' sexual intercourse absenteeism, Semen samples were collected. The sperm count, sperm motility (fast, slow, non-progressive motility) and sperm viability were evaluated based on the WHO guidelines (2010). Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) software was utilized to evaluate indices of sperm. Data analyzed by SPSS 16 and Pearson correlation coefficient and one way ANOVA. The results showed that the sperm count significantly was directly related to viability rate, motility, fast, slow and non-progressive sperm, but the relationship between the sperm count and the semen volume was significant and negative. The obtained results demonstrated that the sperm count can be a factor directly associated with sperm motility and viability rates, as well as the elevated sperm count significantly increases the sperm quality and efficiency. Our findings did not confirm the hypothesis that the sperm quality and efficiency are reduced possibly by increasing sperm count due to high consumption of the semen nutrients.