Spermograms of healthy young subjects living in Arica, Chile Análisis de las variables del espermiograma en jóvenes sanos en Arica-Chile

Background: Semen analysis is one of the parameters used to predict male fertility. Semen can be altered by environmental pollutants; therefore it could be used as a biological marker of exposure in contaminated areas. Aim: To analyze the spermogram values in a sample of healthy young males, residing in Arica, Chile. Material and methods: One hundred and two healthy university students volunteers aged 18 to 30 years answered a questionnaire about fertility, habits and andrologic diseases and provided a semen sample. Within three hours after ejaculation, semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, motility and morphology were analyzed. Results: Six percent of volunteers had offspring, 1% declared to be infertile, 32% smoked and 78% consumed alcohol. Semen pH was 7.6 ± 0.5, volume, 2.9 ± 1.6 ml, sperm concentration, 62.8 ± 62.3 x 10 6/ml, normal morphology, 15.0 ± 7.9%, overall motility, 42.2 ± 23.2% and grade A motility, 19.2 ± 18.6%. The percentage of subjects that had normal semen values