Abstract

Abstract

Background: Shukra dhatu, the terminal tissue in Ayurvedic physiology, sustains male reproductive health and is vitiated through eight distinct Lakshanas: phenilam, tanu, ruksham, vivarnam, puti, picchilam, anyadhatu upsamsrishtam, and avasaadi, whose correlation with modern semen parameters remains underexplored. Objectives: To develop a standardized operating procedure (SOP) for systematic assessment of all eight Shukra dushti Lakshanas during semen examination and to explore their patterns in correlation with semen analysis parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional observational pilot study was conducted at a diagnostic laboratory. Thirty-one men aged 22–60 years were taken for the study. All eight Shukra dushti Lakshanas were assessed, alongside routine semen parameters. Descriptive statistics and co-occurrence patterns were analyzed. Results: Among 31 participants (mean age 32.4 ± 8.51 years), 12 were classified as cases (38.7%) and 19 as controls (61.3%) by WHO 2010 criteria. Puti was the most prevalent lakshana (23 participants, 77.4%), followed by tanu (38.7%), phenilam (29%), picchilam (22.6%), and vivarnam (9.7%). Puti frequency was 10 of 12 cases versus 14 of 19 controls, indicating non- exclusive case association. Picchilam appeared exclusively in samples with 60-minute liquefaction time, demonstrating perfect concordance. Vivarnam occurred only in severely affected case samples with azoospermia. Dosha-predominance patterns showed multi-dosha involvement in cases with multiple concurrent Lakshanas. Conclusions: The study demonstrates feasibility of integrating SOP-based Ayurvedic assessment with WHO semen analysis. Certain Lakshanas i.e. tanu, puti, picchilam, and vivarnam show meaningful associations. Larger studies are needed to validate findings and enhance integrative reproductive assessment.

Keywords: Shukra dushti, semen analysis, pilot study.