Professor Allan Pacey

BSc, PhD, FRCOG

Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health

Honorary Professor of Andrology

a.pacey@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Professor Allan Pacey
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
FU19, F Floor
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
Profile

I was awarded my PhD in 1991 from the University of St. Andrews after which I undertook a one-year Research Fellowship funded by the Royal Society at the Station Zoologique, Villefrance-sur-Mer, France.

I joined the University of Sheffield in 1992, first as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant and then was appointed as lecturer in 1997. In 2001 was appointed as Senior Lecturer in Andrology and in 2015 Professor of Andrology.

I became Head of Department of Oncology and Metabolism in October 2017 and then Head of the Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease in January 2022. In August 2023, I moved to the Universty of Manchester to take up the position of Deputy Vice President and Deputy Dean of the faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

Research interests

I am interested in the biology of human spermatozoa and aspects of semen quality and fertility in males. It is estimated that 1 in 6 couples have a problem in conceiving a child and in about half of these cases, a problem is identified with the male partner. This may be a result of too few sperm being produced, or the fact that sperm have poor motility (swimming ability) or morphology (size and shape).

In recent years, my research has focussed on how micro-organisms such as Chlamydia trachomatis interact with sperm and affect sperm function.

This is in collaboration with Adrian Eley and has shown that the bacteria can trigger signalling pathways in sperm that lead to premature sperm death. We have investigated the molecular nature of this process and have recently shown that sperm washing methods currently in use in clinics are not effective in removing C. trachomatis from sperm.

In the search for better diagnostic methods in the clinic, I have recently collaborated with engineers from the University of Glasgow (Green/Gilles) and applied modelling techniques used in fluid mechanics to better understand how sperm swim.

This paper was published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics in 2008 and shows that swimming speed is closely related to the side and shape of the sperm head.

Work with Urologists in Sheffield has developed a new diagnostic test for men who have small numbers of non-motile sperm in their ejaculates following vasectomy.

In some men, these sperm are present for many months or years meaning the men cannot be discharged from care or cease using contraception because it is not be certain if the surgery has been successful.

We have employed a fluorescent test that allows us to determine if these sperm are dead or alive in order to discriminate between failed vasectomy and inadequate clearance of dead sperm.

Finally, I am interested in occupational and environmental influences on semen quality. In collaboration with colleagues from the University of Manchester, I conducted a large multi-centre study of semen quality at 14 clinics within the UK, relating measures of semen quality to.

In 2008 we published the first paper describing how occupational exposure to glycol ethers (found in paints) was associated with a low motile sperm count. Further papers from this data are being prepared and will be published shortly.


Current Projects

  • Immediate and longer-term consequences for men who bank sperm prior to cancer treatment.
  • Trans-national reproduction: an exploratory study of UK residents who travel abroad for fertility treatment.
  • A pilot study to investigate the interaction between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and human spermatozoa.
Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

  • Pacey AA (2016) Human reproduction keynote lecture - Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for poor sperm morphology. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 31 (pp 1-1) RIS download Bibtex download

All publications

Books

  • Pacey AA & Tomlinson MJ (2009) Sperm Banking: Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press. RIS download Bibtex download

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Pacey A (2021) Sperm Counts Are Falling Worldwide, 50 Big Debates in Reproductive Medicine (pp. 181-182). Cambridge University Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey A & McEleny K (2021) Andrology and Infertility, Reproductive Medicine for the MRCOG (pp. 43-53). Cambridge University Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey A & da Silva SM (2020) The Effect of Age on Male Fertility and the Health of Offspring, Male and Sperm Factors that Maximize IVF Success (pp. 73-82). Cambridge University Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey AA (2019) Male Fertility Preservation, Subfertility, Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction (pp. 222-226). Cambridge University Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey AA (2009) Referring Patients for Sperm Banking In Pacey AA & Tomlinson MJ (Ed.), Sperm Banking: Theory and Practice (pp. 30-40). Cambridge University Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birge LM, Birkhead TR, Cummins J, Doggett K, Dorus S, Ellis RE, Gomendio M, Hosken DJ, Howard DJ, Karr TL , Lessells CKM et al (2009) List of Contributors, Sperm Biology (pp. vii-viii). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey AA (2009) Sperm, human fertility and society, Sperm Biology (pp. 565-597). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Crawshaw MA (2009) The psychological and psychosocial issues surrounding sperm banking, SPERM BANKING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (pp. 41-57). RIS download Bibtex download
  • (2009) Sperm Banking: Theory and Practice Preface, SPERM BANKING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (pp. VII-VII). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson MJ (2009) Sperm processing and storage, SPERM BANKING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (pp. 86-104). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Walters EM, Benson JD, Woods EJ & Critser JK (2009) The history of sperm cryopreservation, SPERM BANKING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (pp. 1-17). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Meistrich ML (2009) Effects of antineoplastic and other medical treatments on sperm production, SPERM BANKING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (pp. 18-29). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Avery S (2009) Legal and ethical aspects of sperm banking, SPERM BANKING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (pp. 58-72). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Mehri S, Sepulveda J & Patrizio P (2009) Methods of sperm retrieval and banking in cancer patients, SPERM BANKING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (pp. 73-85). RIS download Bibtex download
  • El-Fakahany HM & Sakkas D (2009) Assisted reproduction using banked sperm, SPERM BANKING: THEORY AND PRACTICE (pp. 105-114). RIS download Bibtex download
  • McLaughlin E & Pacey A (2008) Cryopreservation and storage of spermatozoa, Textbook of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (pp. 311-321). CRC Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey AA (2006) Fertility Preservation Methods and Treatments for Males In Balen R & Crawshaw M (Ed.), Sexuality and Fertility Issues in Ill Health and Disability: From Early Adolescence to Adulthood (pp. 99-112). Jessica Kingsley Publishers RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey AA (2005) Implantation and early development In Group RCOOAGGBS, Critchley HOD, Cameron IT, Smith SK & Britain RCOOAGG (Ed.), Implantation and early development RIS download Bibtex download
  • Baillie HS, Pacey AA & Moore HDM (2002) Environmental chemicals and the threat to male fertility in mammals: evidence and perspective, Reproductive Science and Integrated Conservation (pp. 57-66). Cambridge University Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey A () The Consultation with Older Men Seeking ART Treatment, Practical Problems in Assisted Conception (pp. 32-35). Cambridge University Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey A & Williams K () The Human Spermatozoa, Clinical Reproductive Science (pp. 65-73). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson MJ & Pacey AA () Future developments for fertility preservation in men, Sperm Banking (pp. 115-121). Cambridge University Press RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Armstrong S, Vaughan E, Lensen S, Caughey L, Farquhar C, Pacey A, Balen A, Peate M & Wainwright E (2022) The VALUE study: a qualitative semi-structured interview study of add-on use by patients, clinicians, and embryologists in the UK and Australia. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 37 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Armstrong S, Pacey A, Farquhar C & Lensen S (2022) Has time-lapse technology finally proven its clinical benefit?. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 37 (pp I135-I135) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey A, Pennings G, Herrmann J, Mocanu E, Pinborg A, Burke C & Skytte AB (2022) An analysis of the outcome of 11,712 men applying to be sperm donors at Cryos International in Denmark and the USA. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 37 (pp I109-I110) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Skytte AB, Pacey A, Herrmann JR, Mocanu E, Burke C & Pennings G (2021) What is the attitude of gamete donors towards expanded genetic testing. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 36 (pp 382-382) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey A (2021) COVID-19, vertical transmission and ART pregnancy outcomes. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 36 (pp 49-49) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Idrees S, Fenwick M & Pacey A (2019) Examining the effect of nicotine on a mouse model of the ovarian reserve. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 34 (pp 457-457) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Armstrong S, Bhide P, Arroll N, Cree L, Jordan V, Pacey A & Farquhar C (2017) Time-lapse Systems for ART - a systematic review. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 32 (pp 225-226) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey AA (2016) Human reproduction keynote lecture - Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for poor sperm morphology. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 31 (pp 1-1) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Van Raemdonck LEM, Ata-ur-rehman , Davila-garcia ML, Mihaylova L, Harrison RF & Pacey A (2015) An algorithm for Morphological classification of motile human sperm. 2015 Sensor Data Fusion: Trends, Solutions, Applications (SDF), 6 October 2015 - 8 October 2015. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zandieh Z, Ashrafi M, Mosaffa N, Sabbaghian M, Gilani MAS, Pacey A & Aflatoonian R (2015) Sperm DNA damage should be considered in infertile couples due to production of high inflammatory cytokines via toll-like receptors. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 30 (pp 149-149) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Saeidi S, Shapouri F, Hoseinifar H, Sabbaghian M, Pacey A & Aflatoonian R (2012) Sperm protection by TLRs in the male reproductive tract. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 27 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey AA (2011) Male Infertility and Cancer. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER, Vol. 47 (pp S37-S37) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Clarke HS, Callow A, Saxton D & Pacey AA (2011) Changes in sperm donor demographics in response to regulatory change. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 26 (pp I145-I145) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Culley L, Hudson N, Blyth E, Norton W, Pacey A & Rapport F (2010) Travelling abroad for fertility treatment: an exploratory study of UK residents seeking cross-border care. HUMAN REPRODUCTION, Vol. 25 (pp I78-I78) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Iszatt N, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Bennett J, Povey A, Pacey A, Moore H, Cherry N & Toledano MB (2009) Trihalomethanes and Semen Quality in England and Wales. EPIDEMIOLOGY, Vol. 20(6) (pp S196-S196) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey A (2009) Advances in male fertility preservation. EJC SUPPLEMENTS, Vol. 7(2) (pp 15-15) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Maddireddy V, Shariff U, Grady S, Gray L, Pacey AA & Rosario DJ (2007) Audit of an approach to post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) - reliability, cost-effectiveness and feasibility of application to a nurse-led service.. BJU INTERNATIONAL, Vol. 99 (pp 38-38) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shariff U, Maddireddy V, Grady S, Fletcher M, Pacey AA & Rosario DJ (2007) Fluorescent viability testing of human sperm - a novel technique to establish vasectomy success in early postvasectomy recanalisation. BJU INTERNATIONAL, Vol. 99 (pp 38-38) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pacey A (2005) Sex drugs and y-front - Modern threats to male reproductive health?. CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA, Vol. 355 (pp S455-S455) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomsu M, Pacey AA, Li TC & Ledger WL (2002) Increased sperm DNA damage in partners of women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages: preliminary report.. FERTILITY AND STERILITY, Vol. 78(3) (pp S166-S166) RIS download Bibtex download
  • PACEY AA & BENTLEY MG (1991) ASPECTS OF SPERM MOTILITY ACQUISITION IN ARENICOLA-MARINA L(ANNELIDA, POLYCHAETA). COMPARATIVE SPERMATOLOGY 20 YEARS AFTER, Vol. 75 (pp 527-531) RIS download Bibtex download

Patents

  • Pacey AA, Green RB, Gillies EA & Cannon RM (2005) Analysis Of Cell Morphology And Motility. Appl. 01 Sep 2005. RIS download Bibtex download
Research group

Current Collaborators

  • Lorraine Culley
  • Christine Eiser
  • Gary England
  • Adrian Eley
  • Eric Gillies
  • Richard Green
Teaching interests

I lecture in Phase 1b (GU and Endocrine) and Phase 3 (Women´s Health) of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) course. I also contribute to the Student Selected Components of Phase 1a (Critical Analysis) and Phase 1b (Research Methods) and offer B. Med. Sci., projects.

Outside the Medical School, I lecture on Module MBB 331 (Gametes and Embryos) in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and also the APS 120 (Reproduction and Development) module in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences.

I am also the Course Director and Admissions Tutor for the MSc in Science Communication which is starting in the Autumn of 2011.

Teaching activities
Media involvement

TV Programmes

Selected Radio Interviews

Recent Press Comments