Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40671092›Full record

Observational studyReproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E2025

Impact of ejaculation frequency on semen parameters and DNA fragmentation: a cross-sectional study.

Qi Xi, Qingkuo Kong, Xin Lv, Rulin Dai, Yang Yu

Registry-linked trialAbstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06127875 (Effects of Trying to Conceive Using an Home- or Hospital-based Ovulation Monitoring on Stress), which is not on this map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06127875 completednot on this map

Effects of Trying to Conceive Using an Home- or Hospital-based Ovulation Monitoring on Stress

TypeobservationalSponsorThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityRan2023 to 2024Enrolled311ConditionsFertility Issues, Stress, Psychological
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Bridging Methodology and Clinical Relevance: Toward More Robust Evidence for Antiox-idant Therapy in Male Infertility.International braz j urol : official journal of the Brazilian Society of Urology
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Qi XiReproductive Medicine Center, Prenatal Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
Qingkuo KongReproductive Medicine Center, Prenatal Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
Xin LvReproductive Medicine Center, Prenatal Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
Rulin DaiReproductive Medicine Center, Prenatal Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
Yang YuReproductive Medicine Center, Prenatal Diagnosis Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China. yuyang0351@jlu.edu.cn.

Funding

the Science and Technology Department of Jilin Province, China and Science and Technology Development Plan Project of Jilin Province, China 20210101354JC
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAbnormal sperm quality, particularly high sperm DNA fragmentation levels, is associated with infertility and a higher risk of pregnancy loss. While short abstinence periods may improve semen quality, the specific role of ejaculation frequency (EF) remains unclear. EF refers to the number of times an individual ejaculates within a given period, which is distinct from the abstinence period, defined as the time interval between ejaculations. This study investigates the association between EF and semen quality, including sperm DNA fragmentation.

methodsThis cross-sectional study included 1,349 men who underwent semen analysis at a reproductive center between November 2023 and July 2024. The subjects were categorized into three groups based on their self-reported EF over the past four weeks: EF1: <1/week, EF2: ≥1 and <2/week, and EF3: ≥2/week.

resultsAs EF increased, significant decreases were observed in sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (P < 0.001), semen volume (P = 0.012), sperm concentration (P < 0.001), and total sperm count (P < 0.001). Sperm vitality showed a positive association with EF (P < 0.001), while no association was found between sperm progressive motility and EF. Lower risks of elevated sperm DFI and necrozoospermia were observed in EF2 and EF3 compared to EF1. However, there was no increased risk of oligozoospermia or asthenozoospermia with increased EF.

conclusionsHigher ejaculation frequency is associated with improved sperm vitality and lower DFI without negatively impacting motility. EF should be considered alongside abstinence in male fertility assessments.

trial registrationThe study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT06127875). DATE OF REGISTRATION: November 11th, 2023. Date of enrollment of the first subject: November 11th, 2023.

Indexed as

DNA FragmentationEjaculationSemenSemen AnalysisSpermatozoaAdultCross-Sectional StudiesHumansInfertility, MaleMaleSexual AbstinenceSperm CountSperm MotilityAbstinence periodDNA fragmentation indexEjaculation frequencySemen parameter

Identifiers

PMID40671092
PMCPMC12265205

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.