Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
The goal of this observational study is to investigate the impact of underpants fit among Thai males attending the Infertility Clinic, whether alone or with their spouses. The main questions it aims to answer are:
The participants will need to provide informed consent, complete a questionnaire consisting of 28 questions, and provide a semen sample.
This research aims to investigate the impact of underpants fit on basic semen parameters, with secondary objectives including an examination of its effect on sperm DNA integrity and an assessment of the prevalence of different underpants types among Thai male partners. The study will enroll approximately 120 Thai male partners, aged 20-55 years, attending the Reproductive Biology Unit (Infertility Clinic) at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, either alone or with their spouses. Participants will be required to provide informed consent, complete a 28-question questionnaire, which should take no more than 10 minutes, and undergo semen analysis. The analysis will assess basic semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity, preferably after a 2-7 days abstinence period. The research will be conducted over a single day for each participant.
The data will be divided into two groups based on underpants fit: loosely fitted and tightly fitted. Statistical analysis will be conducted using STATA software version 18, employing regression analysis to assess the independent impact of underpants fit on semen quality. This analysis will control for potential confounding factors such as age, obesity, alcohol and caffeine consumption, cigarette smoking, physical activity, excessive heat exposure, recreational drug use, recent COVID-19 infection, duration of abstinence, previous children, and stress.
This study seeks to build on previous findings, address genital heat stress in Thai male partners, and potentially influence lifestyle changes to reduce male-factor infertility. Future research could explore additional factors such as underwear material and the type of trousers worn by men.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequently worn underpants during daytime | It will be divided into two groups based on the type of underwear worn: loose-fit, which includes boxers and tight-fit, which includes all other types. |
| |
| Frequently worn underpants at nighttime | It will be divided into two groups based on the type of underwear worn: loose-fit, which includes boxers or none, and tight-fit, which includes all other types. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit of underpants worn | Behavioral | Tight or loose-fitted underpants |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Semen Volume | Semen volume will be assessed in milliliters. | Semen sample will be collected once, on a date advised by the doctor, following a period of ejaculatory abstinence ranging from 2 to 7 days. The sample will be evaluated within 30 minutes of collection. |
| Total sperm count | The total sperm count will be assessed as the total number of sperm cells in millions in the entire ejaculate. | Semen sample will be collected once, on a date advised by the doctor, following a period of ejaculatory abstinence ranging from 2 to 7 days. The sample will be evaluated within 30 minutes of collection. |
| Sperm concentration | Sperm concentration will be quantified as the number of million sperm cells per milliliter. | Semen sample will be collected once, on a date advised by the doctor, following a period of ejaculatory abstinence ranging from 2 to 7 days. The sample will be evaluated within 30 minutes of collection. |
| Sperm motility | Sperm motility will be evaluated as the percentage of sperm cells exhibiting movement. | Semen sample will be collected once, on a date advised by the doctor, following a period of ejaculatory abstinence ranging from 2 to 7 days. The sample will be evaluated within 30 minutes of collection. |
| Sperm morphology | Sperm morphology will be evaluated as percentage of sperm cells with normal shape. | Semen sample will be collected once, on a date advised by the doctor, following a period of ejaculatory abstinence ranging from 2 to 7 days. The sample will be evaluated within 30 minutes of collection. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Sperm DNA integrity | Sperm DNA integrity will be evaluated as percentage of abnormal DNA fragmentation (%). | The leftover semen sample after basic semen analysis will be stored and slides will be prepared. Sperm DNA integrity will be assessed immediately after slide preparation or after freezing the slide for one day, if necessary. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred type of underpants | It will be evaluated as the percentage of participants who predominantly wear different types of underwear. | The analysis will commence upon completion of the anticipated data collection period of 3-months. |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Gender: Male Eligibility Criteria: Male individuals, aged 20-55 years, and citizens of Thailand.
The study aims to enroll approximately 120 participants, comprising Thai male partners who either alone or with spouses visit the Reproductive Biology Unit (Infertility Clinic) at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.
Not provided
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Unnop Jaisamrarn, MD, MHS | Chulalongkorn University | Study Chair |
| Harnam Kaur, MBBS | Chulalongkorn University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chulalongkorn University | Bangkok | 10330 | Thailand |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D007248 | Infertility, Male |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D005832 | Genital Diseases, Male |
| D000091662 | Genital Diseases |
| D000091642 | Urogenital Diseases |
| D007246 | Infertility |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| D052801 |
| Male Urogenital Diseases |