IVF success may depend on how long men abstain from ejaculation

Research suggests that men undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) should ejaculate less than 48 hours before egg collection to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. This advice comes from the first clinical trial testing different ejaculation abstinence intervals and their impact on IVF outcomes.

During an IVF cycle, a woman takes a “trigger” drug to stimulate egg maturation, with the eggs being collected and fertilised 36 hours later. To ensure optimal sperm quality for fertilisation, men are typically advised to ejaculate between two and seven days before providing a sperm sample for IVF. This interval is crucial as sperm quality can be affected by various factors, including exposure to toxins and DNA damage.

Past studies have hinted at the benefits of shorter ejaculation intervals on semen quality and sperm motility. However, the recent clinical trial led by Yang Yu at First Hospital of Jilin University in Changchun, China, directly investigated the impact of ejaculation timing on pregnancy rates in 226 men undergoing IVF.

The results showed that men who ejaculated within 48 hours of egg collection had higher ongoing pregnancy rates compared to those who ejaculated between 48 hours and seven days before. This finding suggests that a shorter abstinence interval may lead to better IVF success, although further research is needed to confirm these results.

While the study’s observation is intriguing, experts like David Miller from the University of Leeds and Richard Paulson from Keck School of Medicine of USC point out limitations in the research design, such as including both fresh and frozen embryos. Paulson emphasizes the need for more thorough analysis to understand the impact of ejaculation intervals on fertilisation rates and pregnancy outcomes.

Despite the study’s limitations, the findings highlight the potential benefits of shorter ejaculation intervals for improving sperm quality and IVF success. Further research could explore the effects of frequent ejaculation on pregnancy outcomes in couples not undergoing IVF, providing valuable insights into male fertility and reproductive health.