Abstract
(1) Background: The relationships between the biochemical and immunological components in seminal plasma and their physiological effects on male reproductive system have been underreported. In this study, we evaluated the potential of several seminal plasma biochemical and immunological markers in the pathophysiological developments of the infertile male patients. The study was designed to identify and assess different markers that may be associated with semen functions in different types of male infertility. (2) Methods: A total of 50 infertile male patients who underwent checkup for fertility assessment and 50 fertile controls were included in this study. The complete medical history of each recruited participant was reviewed. The infertile sub-groups (non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), asthenozoospermia (AS), normozoospermic infertile (NI), and oligozoospermia (OZ)) were characterized based on sperm motility and concentration, while NI patients were included after a thorough check up of their female partners as well. We investigated each sample for 21 different analytes, enzymes, trace elements, and immunological markers to find crucial markers posing as contributing factors to a specific type of male infertility. (3) Results: The levels of 15 out of 21 markers, assayed from the seminal plasma of infertile males, were significantly altered in comparison to fertile controls (p < 0.05). For the first time, microprotein levels were also analyzed. The presence of monocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes was limited to semen from NOA patients, while a significant increase in the level of platelets was observed in AS. Hierarchical clustering and ROC-AUC analysis identified the three most significant markers (zinc, LDH, and TG) for the healthy control group and asthenozoospermic group (AUC, of 0.92 and 0.81, respectively). (4) Conclusions: The altered levels of biochemical and immunological markers in seminal plasma might be associated with the different male infertility profiles and could be required for the sperm metabolism and maintenance. However, a larger sample size and follow up analysis is required for establishing the hypothesized panel of markers as biomarkers at clinical stage.
Highlights
IntroductionInfertility is a widespread health issue that affects approximately 15% of reproductive aged couples globally; approximately half of these cases are related to male infertility [1,2]
(4) Conclusions: The altered levels of biochemical and immunological markers in seminal plasma might be associated with the different male infertility profiles and could be required for the sperm metabolism and maintenance
Based on sperm motility and concentration, male infertility can be broadly classified as asthenozoospermia (AS: reduced sperm motility), non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA: no sperm), normozoospermic infertile (NI: normal sperm), and oligozoospermia (OZ: reduced number of sperm)
Summary
Infertility is a widespread health issue that affects approximately 15% of reproductive aged couples globally; approximately half of these cases are related to male infertility [1,2]. Regardless of the many advances in assisted fertilization in recent years, favorable outcomes remain disturbingly low. Semen analysis (spermogram), which evaluates sperm motility, sperm structure, sperm concentration, and biochemical as well as microbiological parameters, is the most widespread, easy, and non-invasive method to understand the etiology of male infertility [3]. Based on sperm motility and concentration, male infertility can be broadly classified as asthenozoospermia (AS: reduced sperm motility), non-obstructive 4.0/). Azoospermia (NOA: no sperm), normozoospermic infertile (NI: normal sperm), and oligozoospermia (OZ: reduced number of sperm). The current understanding of anomalous sperm function based on spermogram remains limited
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