Temporal trends in semen parameters among men attending a fertility center in the UAE (2012 – 2022): a retrospective study

Background Decline in semen quality have been widely debated for decades, however, most global assessments lack data from the Middle East. To address this gap, this study characterized eleven-year temporal trends in semen parameters among Emirati men, accounting for the effects of age and body mass index (BMI). Methods A retrospective longitudinal analysis was conducted using 13,276 semen samples collected from 2,730 Emirati men attending a fertility center in the United Arab Emirates between 2012 and 2022. Semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), progressive motility, and total motility, were analyzed for temporal trends and stratified by age and BMI using generalized estimating equation (GEE) modelling. Yearly differences were assessed using ANOVA with Bonferroni or Tukey’s post-hoc tests. Results All measured semen parameters remained above the World Health Organization lower reference limits, but significant year-to-year fluctuations in key measures were observed. A pronounced dip in semen volume, sperm concentration, and TSC occurred in 2016, with partial recovery in subsequent years. In contrast, both progressive and total sperm motility declined steadily throughout the decade, with yearly decreases of 6% to 17%. Age above 35 years was consistently associated with declines in volume and motility, and higher BMI was linked to reduced semen quality, though the rate of decline over time did not differ significantly by BMI. Conclusions Temporal changes in semen parameters among Emirati men visiting a fertility clinic echoes trends observed globally but is shaped by unique demographic and environmental factors of the region. These findings underscore the complexity of male fertility trends, and it is recommended that studies integrating environmental, lifestyle, and demographic data to understand reproductive status in the Middle East be conducted.