Association between underpants fit and semen quality: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Harnam  Kaur; Unnop  Jaisamrarn; Paweena  Thuwanut; Chanakarn  Suebthawinkul; Jiayu  Li

Authors

Harnam Kaur Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Unnop Jaisamrarn Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Paweena Thuwanut Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Chanakarn Suebthawinkul Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Jiayu Li Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

Keywords:

DNA fragmentation, lifestyle factors, semen analysis, underpants fit

Abstract

Background: The effect of the underpants type on semen parameters remains controversial. Therefore, conducting such a study in Thai male partners may provide valuable region-specific data.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between underpants fit and semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm count, motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation, among Thai male partners in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods: Thai male partners aged 20–55 years who sought infertility treatment from the Reproductive Biology Unit, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, were recruited from March to June 2024. All participants completed a questionnaire on their sociodemographic, medical history, and underpants type and provided one semen sample, which was analyzed in accordance with the 6thedition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual (2021).

Results: Among the 116 eligible participants, 93.1% preferred wearing tight-fitting underpants during the day, whereas 74.1% opted for boxers or none at night. An increased semen volume was observed in men wearing loose-fitting underwear during the day and at night by 1.2 mL with P = 0.004 (95% CI: 0.41–2.06), whereas higher normal sperm morphology was found in men wearing tight-fitting underpants during that day and night by 0.5 with P = 0.031 (95% CI: 0.04–0.94). The other semen parameters were not significantly affected by the fit of the underpants.

Conclusion: A straightforward lifestyle choice, such as selecting a specific type of underpants, may influence semen volume and sperm morphology.

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