Chao Xu1, Ming Liu2, Fang-fang Zhang1, Jiao-long Liu1, Xian-zhou Jiang2, Jian-bo Teng3, Xu-Jun Xuan4, Jin-long Ma1. 1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China. 2. Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China. 3. Ultrasonic Diagnosis Room, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Jinan, China. 4. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China. Electronic address: xxjun777@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between testicular microlithiasis (TM) and semen parameters in Chinese adult men with fertility intention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonography results of the reproductive system of 16,204 consecutive adult male patients in our hospital with fertility intention from November 2012 to October 2013. TM was diagnosed by scrotal ultrasonography. Patients with TM were divided into classic testicular microlithiasis (CTM) or limited testicular microlithiasis (LTM). The clinical data of CTM, LTM, and non-TM groups, especially of patients in whom sperms were found in semen analysis, were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 226 men (1.39%) diagnosed with TM. The mean age was 28.96 ± 5.12 years (range, 21-46 years), whereas mean testicular volume was 15.38 ± 4.90 mL (range, 1.62-31.23 mL). CTM and LTM were detected in 141 (62.39%) and 85 patients (37.61%), respectively. Among 200 patients who underwent semen analysis, sperms were found in 159 men (79.5%; 97 men with CTM and 62 men with LTM). One hundred and twenty cases without TM (ie, non-TM group) were collected in the control group. Sperm concentration, total motility, and percentage of progressively motile of CTM, LTM, and non-TM groups was (38.01 ± 31.58 million/mL vs 52.31 ± 33.26 million/mL vs 67.16 ± 36.94 million/mL; P <.001), (46.03 ± 23.69% vs 55.37 ± 24.16% vs 62.08 ± 20.45%; P <.001), and (35.88 ± 20.17% vs 43.15 ± 21.08% vs 47.10 ± 17.84%; P <.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: TM is associated with worse semen parameters in adult men with fertility intention. The extent of microlithiasis correlates inversely with semen parameters.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between testicular microlithiasis (TM) and semen parameters in Chinese adult men with fertility intention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the ultrasonography results of the reproductive system of 16,204 consecutive adult male patients in our hospital with fertility intention from November 2012 to October 2013. TM was diagnosed by scrotal ultrasonography. Patients with TM were divided into classic testicular microlithiasis (CTM) or limited testicular microlithiasis (LTM). The clinical data of CTM, LTM, and non-TM groups, especially of patients in whom sperms were found in semen analysis, were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 226 men (1.39%) diagnosed with TM. The mean age was 28.96 ± 5.12 years (range, 21-46 years), whereas mean testicular volume was 15.38 ± 4.90 mL (range, 1.62-31.23 mL). CTM and LTM were detected in 141 (62.39%) and 85 patients (37.61%), respectively. Among 200 patients who underwent semen analysis, sperms were found in 159 men (79.5%; 97 men with CTM and 62 men with LTM). One hundred and twenty cases without TM (ie, non-TM group) were collected in the control group. Sperm concentration, total motility, and percentage of progressively motile of CTM, LTM, and non-TM groups was (38.01 ± 31.58 million/mL vs 52.31 ± 33.26 million/mL vs 67.16 ± 36.94 million/mL; P <.001), (46.03 ± 23.69% vs 55.37 ± 24.16% vs 62.08 ± 20.45%; P <.001), and (35.88 ± 20.17% vs 43.15 ± 21.08% vs 47.10 ± 17.84%; P <.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: TM is associated with worse semen parameters in adult men with fertility intention. The extent of microlithiasis correlates inversely with semen parameters.