Comparative study of semen in diabetic and healthy men.

This study examines the consequences of diabetes on male reproductive function. We have studied a group of 18 diabetics (15 type I, 3 type II) age 24 to 40 years (mean 34 +/- 5.3) with duration of diabetes from 2 to 30 years (mean 11.8 +/- 8.3). This group was compared to 20 semen donors. In diabetics higher sperm (p = 0.0063) and round cell (p = 0.031) concentrations/ml as well as a higher total spermatozoa count (p = 0.023) were observed. The percentage of abnormal sperms were also higher. None of the couples had consulted for sterility and they had a mean of 2 children. In this group of patients, diabetes was not a cause of subfertility. Specific spermiological alteration in diabetics might reflect a testicular damage secondary to their diabetes or disease.