Variation of semen parameters in healthy medical students due to exam stress

Aim This study was aimed at investigating semen parameters that vary most in samples of healthy donors undergoing stressful examination period. Methods Samples were left to liquefy in an incubator at 37°C, 5% CO2 for 30 minutes before volume was measured. Concentration and motility parameters were measured by means of computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) using Sperm Class Analyzer® (Microptic S.L, Madrid, Spain). Results Sperm concentration was significantly decreased in samples donated close to the exam period as well as samples donated during the exam period when compared to samples donated at the beginning of the semester. Conclusion Stress levels of donors might prove to be clinically relevant and important when designing experiment protocols