The association between seminal vesicle size and duration of abstinence from ejaculation

Abstract

There are few data describing the relationship between seminal vesicle (SV) size and duration of abstinence between ejaculations. This study evaluates the association between SV size and duration of abstinence from ejaculation using pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sexually active men 18-68 years old who underwent pelvic MRI for various medical indications were included. The date of last ejaculation was recorded, and the cross-sectional areas of the right and left seminal vesicles were calculated separately using mediolateral and anteroposterior measurements on T2-weighted MRI images. The association between SV area and duration of abstinence between ejaculations was determined via linear regression analysis. The study cohort consisted of 104 men with a mean age of 46.45 ± 11.4 (range 18-68) years old. Mean right and left SV cross-sectional areas were 744.1 ± 351.1 (range: 149.9-1794.7) mm2 and 727.6 ± 359.2 (range 171.4-2248.4) mm2 respectively. The mean duration of abstinence between ejaculations in the cohort was 3.6 ± 2.6 (range 1-15) days. Although no correlation between age and SV area was observed (r = .007, p = .947), linear regression analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between SV area and the duration of abstinence from ejaculation (r = .372, p = .0001). SV cross-sectional area increases with duration of abstinence from ejaculation and can be assessed using MRI. The use of SV size estimation may be applicable in diagnosis, risk stratification and treatment of urological diseases.

Keywords: abstinence; ejaculation; magnetic resonance imaging; seminal vesicle; size; volume.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

E.C.S. No relevant conflicts of interest to disclose

A.W.P. No relevant conflicts of interest to disclose

J.S. No relevant conflicts of interest to disclose

E.Y No relevant conflicts of interest to disclose

A.C. No relevant conflicts of interest to disclose

© 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Figures

Figure 1

Representative T2-weighted MRI image of the pelvis

Figure 2

Linear regression analysis comparing duration of abstinence and SV area