Relationship Between Quality of Reproductive Life and Semen Quality: The Moderating Roles of Social Support and Fertility Stress.

Reports on whether social support and fertility stress moderate the association between quality of reproductive life and semen quality are limited. This study explored the relationship between quality of reproductive life and semen quality, focusing on the moderating roles of social support and fertility stress. This case-control study involved 1024 adult males who attended our institution's Reproductive Medicine Centre. Participants were categorized into the abnormal (n = 467) and normal semen groups (n = 557) based on World Health Organization standards. Data on quality of reproductive life, social support, and fertility stress were collected via questionnaires, and semen quality parameters were assessed. Relationships and moderating effects were evaluated using nonparametric tests and grouped linear regression models. In the abnormal semen group, quality of reproductive life positively correlated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm progressive motility, and sperm total motility. Quality of reproductive life positively and negatively correlated with social support and fertility stress, respectively. Social support positively influenced sperm total motility, whereas no similar results were found in the normal semen group. In the abnormal semen group, low fertility stress improved the relationship between quality of reproductive life and sperm total motility; however; such significance was not found in the control group. In conclusion, quality of reproductive life is positively associated with semen quality and social support but negatively correlated with fertility stress. Enhancing social support and reducing stress is critical for improving the quality of reproductive life and semen quality, particularly in men with abnormal semen parameters.