Split ejaculation study: semen parameters and calcium and magnesium in seminal plasma

OBJECTIVES Male infertility is on the rise. Artificial insemination is an option in many cases like oligozoospermia or oligoasthenozoospermia. Homologous insemination is helpful for some couples in whom sperm count is low. This study was aimed to understand the most suitable portion of split ejaculate for insemination and also the level of calcium and magnesium in each split. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total number of 31 normal and clinically healthy adults participated in this study. They were instructed to maintain abstinence for 2-5 days prior to sample collection in three splits. Each split was evaluated as if it were a whole sample, following WHO criteria. Seminal plasma was separated. Calcium and magnesium levels were measured in seminal plasma and spermatozoa of each split. RESULTS The split ejaculate study revealed that the first portion contained a higher number of spermatozoa with better motility than the 2nd and 3rd splits. Similarly, the level of calcium and magnesium in seminal plasma and spermatozoa was greater in the first split, followed by 2(nd) and 3(rd) splits. CONCLUSION The presented split ejaculate study has shown the first ejaculate as superior in quality in terms of total sperm count and percentage of active motility. The first split of ejaculation is recommended for homologous artificial insemination in case of oligozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia. This study has also shown that a major portion of two important elements, calcium and magnesium, is contributed by the prostate gland.