Repainting the old fence: connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention, ejaculatory abstinence, and sperm metabolism

Abstract Background Understanding the impact of ejaculatory abstinence on semen quality is critical for optimizing male fertility and addressing infertility. Additionally, the energy metabolism of sperm plays a crucial role in their motility and fertilizing potential. Main body Research indicates th...

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Main Authors: Pallav Sengupta, Sulagna Dutta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-05-01
Series:Middle East Fertility Society Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-025-00229-6
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author Pallav Sengupta
Sulagna Dutta
author_facet Pallav Sengupta
Sulagna Dutta
author_sort Pallav Sengupta
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Understanding the impact of ejaculatory abstinence on semen quality is critical for optimizing male fertility and addressing infertility. Additionally, the energy metabolism of sperm plays a crucial role in their motility and fertilizing potential. Main body Research indicates that short-term abstinence is associated with higher sperm motility but lower sperm counts, while long-term abstinence increases sperm count but may lead to aged and morphologically abnormal sperm. Prolonged abstinence can alter the balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, affecting ATP production and increasing oxidative stress, which compromises sperm integrity and functionality. Sperm absorption mechanisms during prolonged abstinence, including phagocytosis by epididymal epithelial cells and macrophages, ensure the recycling of older, less viable sperm. Understanding these dynamics is essential for optimizing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Conclusion The interplay between abstinence duration, sperm fate, and sperm energy metabolism has significant implications for clinical practices in fertility treatments and sperm storage. Personalized approaches to abstinence duration can optimize sperm quality, enhancing the success rates of ART. Further research is needed to bridge existing knowledge gaps and develop improved guidelines for fertility treatments, ensuring better reproductive outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-95630271debe456a94474cbbab41fc7c2025-08-20T03:48:15ZengSpringerOpenMiddle East Fertility Society Journal2090-32512025-05-0130111410.1186/s43043-025-00229-6Repainting the old fence: connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention, ejaculatory abstinence, and sperm metabolismPallav Sengupta0Sulagna Dutta1Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Gulf Medical UniversityBasic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Ajman UniversityAbstract Background Understanding the impact of ejaculatory abstinence on semen quality is critical for optimizing male fertility and addressing infertility. Additionally, the energy metabolism of sperm plays a crucial role in their motility and fertilizing potential. Main body Research indicates that short-term abstinence is associated with higher sperm motility but lower sperm counts, while long-term abstinence increases sperm count but may lead to aged and morphologically abnormal sperm. Prolonged abstinence can alter the balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, affecting ATP production and increasing oxidative stress, which compromises sperm integrity and functionality. Sperm absorption mechanisms during prolonged abstinence, including phagocytosis by epididymal epithelial cells and macrophages, ensure the recycling of older, less viable sperm. Understanding these dynamics is essential for optimizing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Conclusion The interplay between abstinence duration, sperm fate, and sperm energy metabolism has significant implications for clinical practices in fertility treatments and sperm storage. Personalized approaches to abstinence duration can optimize sperm quality, enhancing the success rates of ART. Further research is needed to bridge existing knowledge gaps and develop improved guidelines for fertility treatments, ensuring better reproductive outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-025-00229-6Sexual abstinenceSpermatozoa/metabolismSperm motilityFertilityEnergy metabolism
spellingShingle Pallav Sengupta
Sulagna Dutta
Repainting the old fence: connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention, ejaculatory abstinence, and sperm metabolism
Middle East Fertility Society Journal
Sexual abstinence
Spermatozoa/metabolism
Sperm motility
Fertility
Energy metabolism
title Repainting the old fence: connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention, ejaculatory abstinence, and sperm metabolism
title_full Repainting the old fence: connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention, ejaculatory abstinence, and sperm metabolism
title_fullStr Repainting the old fence: connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention, ejaculatory abstinence, and sperm metabolism
title_full_unstemmed Repainting the old fence: connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention, ejaculatory abstinence, and sperm metabolism
title_short Repainting the old fence: connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention, ejaculatory abstinence, and sperm metabolism
title_sort repainting the old fence connecting curiosity and conception on semen retention ejaculatory abstinence and sperm metabolism
topic Sexual abstinence
Spermatozoa/metabolism
Sperm motility
Fertility
Energy metabolism
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-025-00229-6
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AT sulagnadutta repaintingtheoldfenceconnectingcuriosityandconceptiononsemenretentionejaculatoryabstinenceandspermmetabolism