Sperm count, morphology and motility after unilateral mumps orchitis.

Changes in count morphology and motility of sperm in the ejaculate following unilateral mumps orchitis were surveyed. Ejaculates of 54 patients aged 16-37 were examined within 3 6 and 12 months of orchitis attack. At 3 months the median sperm count (times 10 /ml) was 33.8 at 6 months 60 and at 12 months 70 the difference between the first 2 examinations being significant (p=.01). Taking more than 60% normal spermatozoa as the criterion for "normal" sperm morphology examination revealed only 6% normal ejaculates at 3 months 35% after 6 months (p=.001) and 46% after 12 months. Median Sperm Velocity Test values determined at 1 3 and 5 hours postejaculation were (in mcm/second) 5.6 2.9 and 1.1 at 3 months; 18.9 14.6 and 9.1 at 6 months; and 24.0 19.5 and 14.1 at 12 months. The difference between the 3-month and 6-month examination was again significant. It is concluded that sperm morphology is most affected and sperm count least affected following unilateral mumps orchitis and that the recovery of sperm count and morphology is less marked than that of motility. Cytogenetic deterioration following mumps orchitis appears to be relatively long-lasting especially with regard to sperm morphology.