Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
To examine the association between regular physical activity and semen quality.
Design: Prospective cohort study.
Couples attending one of three IVF clinics in the greater Boston area during 1993-2003. At study entry, male participants completed a questionnaire about their general health, medical history, and physical activity. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived using generalized estimating equations models, accounting for potential confounders and multiple samples per man.
A total of 2,261 men contributing 4,565 fresh semen samples were enrolled before undergoing their first IVF cycles.
Intervention(s): None.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and total motile sperm (TMS).
Result(s): Overall, none of the semen parameters were materially associated with regular exercise. Compared with no regular exercise, bicycling ≥5 h/wk was associated with low sperm concentration (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.03-3.56) and low TMS (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.19-3.56). These associations did not vary appreciably by age, body mass index, or history of male factor infertility.
Conclusion(s): Although the present study suggests no overall association between regular physical activity and semen quality, bicycling ≥5 h/wk was associated with lower sperm concentration and TMS.
Written by:
Wise LA, Cramer DW, Hornstein MD, Ashby RK, Missmer SA.
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Reference: Fertil Steril. 2011 Mar 1;95(3):1025-30.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.11.006
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 21122845
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