Sperm characteristics in a sample of healthy adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil

The article presents preliminary data from a prospective investigation in a sample of healthy 14-17-year-old students from a technical school in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ninety-six Tanner stage 5 and thirty-one Tanner stage 4 adolescents were evaluated: testicular volume was measured using a Prader orchidometer, and semen analysis was performed according to standard procedures. Median testicular volume was 20.0ml among Tanner 5 students and 15.0ml in Tanner 4 students in both the right and left testes. No significant differences were found in sperm volume or motility. Median concentration was 66.0 million/ml for Tanner 5 and 47.0 million/ml for Tanner 4 subjects. Morphological patterns showed abnormal forms in 81.9% of Tanner 5 and 93.6% of Tanner 4 adolescents. Oligospermia (sperm concentration < 5 million/ml) was observed in 7.3% of Tanner stage 5 and 12.9% of Tanner stage 4 individuals. Azoospermia was observed in 3 students (1.8%), with counts less than 1.0 in 8 students (4.8%). The authors discuss the observed results, analyzing the potential implications arising from biological development and potential environmental exposures.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mori,Marcos Mitsuyoshi, Cedenho,Agnaldo Pereira, Koifman,Sergio, Srougi,Miguel
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz 2002
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-311X2002000200018
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!