Sperm Parameters before and after Swim-Up of a Second Ejaculate after a Short Period of Abstinence

• Main Authors: Claudio Manna, Federica Barbagallo, Raffaella Manzo, Ashraf Rahman, Davide Francomano, Aldo E. Calogero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Subjects: sperm morphology; sperm motility; sperm DNA fragmentation; ART; semen analysis
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/4/1029

Background: Recent studies have supported the beneficial effects of a short abstinence period on sperm parameters. The aim of this study was to assess sperm motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation before and after swim-up of a second ejaculate obtained after a short abstinence period in normozoospermic men and oligo-astheno-teratozoospermic (OAT) patients. Material and methods: Semen analyses and swim-up preparations of two consecutive semen samples (collected within 1 h) were carried out in 30 normozoospermic and 35 OAT patients enrolled in an assisted reproductive technique (ART) program. Results: Compared to the first ejaculate, the second sample showed a higher percentage of spermatozoa with normal form (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and lower percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in normozoospermic men, whereas a higher percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and normal morphology (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) was found in OAT patients. Swim-up separation showed a lower DNA fragmentation rate (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the second ejaculate in normozoospermic men, whereas the second ejaculate of OAT patents showed an increase in normally-shaped spermatozoa (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and lower percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA (<i>p</i> < 0.001) compared to the first one. Conclusions: Swim-up separation of a second ejaculate collected within 1 h might be suggested for ART procedures, especially in OAT patients.