Is There a Decrease in Semen Parameters among Korean Men?

A study was conducted in three large populations to determine whether sperm quality has changed in Korea between January 1995 to November 1999. We reviewed sperm concentration, motility and semen volume on two tertiary general hospitals in Korea, data of which collected since 1995 till 1999 according to the WHO guidelines(1987). The data were collected in healthy young Korean men in one center and those who visited urologic clinic in another center, There was no statistically significant difference at each year(p>0.05). Also semen volume and motility were not changed during that times. The data was collected in 1999 in both centers and monthly trends were also compared. No significant change was observed. No changes were observed in the semen parameters analysed in this two distinct populations, showing no evidence of deteriorating sperm quality in Korea over recent years. Furthermore, more data is required to draw any conclusion about the trend of semen qualities in Korea.prohibitio