Elucidating the semen quality and the potential biomarker of young men’s reproductive health: A cross sectional population-based study

Infertility has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a growing global disease often neglected by the individual and treated as taboo issue by the society. Globally, half of the individuals diagnosed with infertility were associated with men. The increasing trend of infertility in men has reached 50% and is expected to continue in the upcoming years. In addition, the fertility rate of young men aged below 30 has been reported to decrease by 15%. Recent finding has shown that, only 38% of the total young men participants having sperm concentration, motility, and morphology values that met WHO semen reference criteria. A study in Malaysia reported that 60% of men participants show abnormal sperm in sperm analysis tests. Furthermore, 95% of men diagnosed with fertility problems were unaware and remained confident that they were healthy. Nonetheless, seminal quality data of Malaysian young men age below 30 remained unknown. Male infertility is a reproductive problem caused by low sperm production and abnormal sperm function or obstructions that prevent the sperm delivery. Factors that can play roles resulting in male infertility are injuries to the reproductive organ, illnesses, lifestyle choices and other environmental factors. Nonetheless, currently few modalities are available to diagnose patients with infertility and provide appropriate interventions. Thus, this study aims to evaluate semen quality and men’s reproductive health of young age below 30 in Malaysia. This study also will determine the proteomics profile of seminal fluid and blood to identify the potential biomarker for male infertility particularly aged below 30 years old. The results obtained from this study will provide objective indicators of infertility pathophysiology in young men. Subsequently, provide significant economic impact through the advancement of treatment for infertility and reducing the number of patients suffering from social disabilities caused by the infertility.