Abstinence Period for Male Infertility

Overseen By Akeem Noziere

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Disqualifiers: Significant cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different lengths of abstinence (refraining from ejaculation) affect sperm quality. Researchers aim to determine if shorter abstinence periods might enhance semen quality in healthy men. Participants will provide semen samples after abstaining for various durations, ranging from 7 days to just 3 hours. Men who are generally healthy, aged 20-45, and able to provide a semen sample are ideal candidates, particularly if they have a total sperm count of at least 1 million and specific sperm DNA characteristics.

As an unphased study, this trial allows participants to contribute to groundbreaking research on male reproductive health.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this abstinence protocol is safe for participants?

Research shows that shorter periods of abstinence can improve semen quality. Studies have found that reducing the time between ejaculations can lead to healthier sperm, with better movement and less DNA damage.

No health risks are linked to changing the duration of abstinence. Adjusting abstinence time is safe and common, posing no harm to participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard treatments for male infertility that often involve medications or surgical interventions, this approach focuses on abstinence as a potential solution. Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a simple and non-invasive method that could improve fertility by optimizing sperm quality through strategic periods of abstinence. This method offers a unique angle by potentially enhancing the natural reproductive process without the need for medical or pharmaceutical assistance. By understanding the impact of abstinence on sperm health, this trial could pave the way for a natural and cost-effective fertility enhancement strategy.

What evidence suggests that abstinence is effective for improving sperm quality?

This trial will explore the effects of abstinence periods on male fertility. Research has shown that shorter breaks between ejaculations can improve semen quality. One study found that shorter breaks led to higher pregnancy and live birth rates when using fertility treatments. Another study showed that abstaining for three days or less increased pregnancy rates after intrauterine insemination (IUI). Longer breaks without ejaculation might actually lower semen quality. These findings suggest that shorter breaks could benefit male fertility. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jonathan Gal, MD

Principal Investigator

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy men aged 20-45 who can provide a semen sample and have a sperm count of at least 1 million with high DNA fragmentation. It's not for those with low sperm counts, normal DNA fragmentation, significant health issues, or no semen production.

Inclusion Criteria

I am healthy with no major health issues.

I am a man between 20 and 45 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Total sperm count < 1 million sperm

Aspermia (semen volume = 0)

Normal sperm DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay value < 20%)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Sample Collection

Participants provide semen samples following abstinence periods of 7 days, 5 days, 2 days, 1 day, and 3 hours

14 days

5 visits (in-person)

Data Analysis

Analysis of semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation after varying abstinence periods

Concurrent with sample collection

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Abstinence

Trial Overview The study examines how different periods of sexual abstinence (7 days, 5 days, 2 days, 1 day, and 3 hours) affect the quality of semen in participants by analyzing samples provided after each interval.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Healthy Volunteers Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Healthy males with no significant comorbidities, aged 20-45 years who are able to produce a semen sample by masturbation.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,103

Recruited

1,157,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study found that an ejaculatory abstinence period of 2 days or less before intrauterine insemination (IUI) resulted in the highest pregnancy rates per cycle.

Interestingly, this increased conception rate occurred even with a lower total number of motile spermatozoa being inseminated, suggesting that timing may be more critical than sperm quantity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A short period of ejaculatory abstinence before intrauterine insemination is associated with higher pregnancy rates. Marshburn, PB., Alanis, M., Matthews, ML., et al.[2010]

Shorter ejaculatory abstinence intervals (less than the recommended 2-7 days) have been shown to improve sperm motility and outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART) for men with severe infertility.

Using fresh testicular sperm instead of frozen sperm has been associated with higher live birth rates, although more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimizing outcomes for men with severe infertility. Marinaro, JA.[2023]

A systematic review of 30 studies suggests that shorter ejaculatory abstinence periods may lead to improved sperm motility characteristics, despite a decline in semen volume and sperm concentration.

Current guidelines on the optimal abstinence period for semen analysis may need to be revised, as the evidence indicates that reducing the abstinence duration could enhance sperm quality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Revisiting The Relationship between The Ejaculatory Abstinence Period and Semen Characteristics. Ayad, BM., Horst, GV., Plessis, SSD.[2020]

In a study of 22 assisted reproduction cycles, using sperm from a sample collected 1 hour after the first ejaculate resulted in higher blastocyst euploidy rates (43.6%) compared to sperm from a sample collected after several days of abstinence (27.5%).

The findings suggest that shorter ejaculatory abstinence may improve sperm quality and reduce the risk of aneuploidy in blastocysts, indicating a potential strategy to enhance outcomes in assisted reproduction, although further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How 1 h of abstinence improves sperm quality and increases embryo euploidy rate after PGT-A: a study on 106 sibling biopsied blastocysts. Scarselli, F., Cursio, E., Muzzì, S., et al.[2020]

A study of 818 patients found that longer ejaculatory abstinence (more than 4 days) negatively impacts sperm quality and reduces the success rates of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes, including fertilization and pregnancy rates.

Shorter abstinence periods (especially around 1 day) were associated with better implantation rates and higher chances of pregnancy, suggesting that optimal abstinence length is crucial for improving fertility outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Revisiting the impact of ejaculatory abstinence on semen quality and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes. Borges, E., Braga, DPAF., Zanetti, BF., et al.[2020]

Short-term ejaculatory abstinence (1-5 days) improves sperm chromatin maturity and integrity, which is beneficial for therapeutic fertilization, as shown in a study of 76 ejaculates from 19 healthy volunteers.

However, prolonged incubation of spermatozoa from short-term abstinence can lead to significant DNA fragmentation, suggesting that while short-term abstinence is advantageous, care must be taken to avoid using sperm after extended in vitro exposure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sperm Chromatin Immaturity Observed in Short Abstinence Ejaculates Affects DNA Integrity and Longevity In Vitro. Uppangala, S., Mathai, SE., Salian, SR., et al.[2018]

In a study of 6919 ICSI cycles, longer ejaculatory abstinence was linked to a decrease in the formation of 2PN zygotes, which are typically associated with successful fertilization, with a 3% decrease in likelihood for each additional day of abstinence.

Conversely, the likelihood of forming 3PN zygotes increased by 14% for each additional day of abstinence, but this change did not impact overall blastulation or clinical pregnancy rates, suggesting that while abstinence affects zygote type, it does not influence the success of the ICSI procedure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of ejaculatory abstinence period on fertilization and clinical outcomes in ICSI cycles: a retrospective analysis. Cermisoni, GC., Minetto, S., Marzanati, D., et al.[2023]

A short abstinence period of 2 hours before collecting a second semen sample significantly improved sperm motility and morphology in severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) patients, compared to their first sample.

Using a second semen sample from these patients resulted in similar pregnancy rates as those seen in normozoospermic or mild OAT patients, demonstrating that this approach can enhance fertility treatment outcomes without needing cryopreservation or surgical interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Two subsequent seminal productions: A good strategy to treat very severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermic infertile couples. Ciotti, PM., Calza, N., Zuffa, S., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1529262/full

Ejaculatory abstinence duration impacts semen parameters This study provides robust evidence highlighting the pivotal role of abstinence time in shaping semen quality across different male fertility ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10054513/

The Influence of Male Ejaculatory Abstinence Time on ... The included studies confirm that a shorter abstinence time is associated with improved pregnancy rates and live birth rates following assisted ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028205005406

Relationship between the duration of sexual abstinence ... The purpose of this study was to examine, on a large scale, the relationship between duration of abstinence and sperm quality.

4. fertstert.org fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(05)01054-X/fulltext

Effect of ejaculatory abstinence period on the pregnancy ... An abstinence interval of 3 days or less was associated with higher pregnancy rates following IUI. Prolonged abstinence decreases pregnancy rates.

5. tau.amegroups.org tau.amegroups.org/article/view/135052/html

Ejaculatory abstinence and its impacts on within- and between ... Ejaculatory abstinence and its impacts on within- and between-individual variations in semen parameters of 9595 Vietnamese men.

6. wjmh.org wjmh.org/Synapse/Data/PDFData/2074WJMH/wjmh-43-563.pdf

Impact of Shorter Abstinence Periods on Semen Parameters Characterization of the sperm proteome and reproduc- tive outcomes with in vitro, fertilization after a reduction in male ejaculatory abstinence ...

7. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/00/NCT04206800/Prot_SAP_000.pdf

Title: Effect of ejaculatory abstinence on semen parameters ... Alan Penzias, MD. B1. PURPOSE OF PROTOCOL. The purpose of this study is to compare semen parameters with in vitro fertilization.

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/15/3213

The Effect of Ejaculatory Abstinence Interval on Sperm ... A shorter ejaculatory abstinence interval appears to be associated with improved sperm parameters, such as sperm DNA fragmentation, progressive motility or ...