Investigation of racial disparities in semen parameters among white, black, and Asian men.
WHO criteria
male factor infertility
racial disparities
semen analysis
Journal
Andrology
ISSN: 2047-2927
Titre abrégé: Andrology
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101585129
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 2021
07 2021
Historique:
revised:
04
01
2021
received:
06
08
2020
accepted:
22
02
2021
pubmed:
26
2
2021
medline:
13
1
2022
entrez:
25
2
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Male factor infertility is the primary cause of infertility in 20% of couples. Primary evaluation of male factor infertility includes a semen analysis (SA). The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria are widely used to interpret SA. However, the current normative values seen in WHO criteria have led to research showing racial disparities in prevalence of abnormal SA. To assess the relationship between different self-reported racial groups and rates of abnormal SA. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single large tertiary care facility. All men who underwent a SA for evaluation of suspected male infertility, unexplained infertility, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, were considered for inclusion in the study. Exclusion criteria were unreported race or ethnicity, SA for fertility preservation only, history of varicocele or testicular surgery, chromosomal abnormalities, congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens, prior testosterone use, or prior exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation. Samples obtained via testicular sperm extraction or post-ejaculatory urine collection, or those analyzed ≥1 h from ejaculation, were also excluded. 872 SAs were identified, of which 615 met inclusion criteria, yielding 384 normal and 231 abnormal results. Only race (p < 0.0001) and age (p = 0.002) were statistically significant. Black men had the highest rate of abnormal SA (54%) and were significantly more likely to have lower semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, percent motile sperm, and total motile sperm (p < 0.05). In a logistic regression model, controlling for age and using White Non-Hispanic as the referent group, only Blacks had lower odds for a normal SA (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.28, 0.60). Black men are more likely to have an abnormal SA based on the 2010 WHO criteria. Black men seeking infertility treatment should be educated on the incidence of abnormal SA and actively seek infertility evaluation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Male factor infertility is the primary cause of infertility in 20% of couples. Primary evaluation of male factor infertility includes a semen analysis (SA). The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria are widely used to interpret SA. However, the current normative values seen in WHO criteria have led to research showing racial disparities in prevalence of abnormal SA.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between different self-reported racial groups and rates of abnormal SA.
MATERIALS & METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single large tertiary care facility. All men who underwent a SA for evaluation of suspected male infertility, unexplained infertility, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, were considered for inclusion in the study. Exclusion criteria were unreported race or ethnicity, SA for fertility preservation only, history of varicocele or testicular surgery, chromosomal abnormalities, congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens, prior testosterone use, or prior exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiation. Samples obtained via testicular sperm extraction or post-ejaculatory urine collection, or those analyzed ≥1 h from ejaculation, were also excluded.
RESULTS
872 SAs were identified, of which 615 met inclusion criteria, yielding 384 normal and 231 abnormal results. Only race (p < 0.0001) and age (p = 0.002) were statistically significant. Black men had the highest rate of abnormal SA (54%) and were significantly more likely to have lower semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, percent motile sperm, and total motile sperm (p < 0.05). In a logistic regression model, controlling for age and using White Non-Hispanic as the referent group, only Blacks had lower odds for a normal SA (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.28, 0.60).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Black men are more likely to have an abnormal SA based on the 2010 WHO criteria. Black men seeking infertility treatment should be educated on the incidence of abnormal SA and actively seek infertility evaluation.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1086-1091Commentaires et corrections
Type : CommentIn
Informations de copyright
© 2021 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.
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