Concentration of fatty acid binding protein as a new indicator of ejaculate fertility

Abstract

Objective. To determine the marker function of fatty acid binding protein (FABP) concentration in seminal plasma (SP) in order to assess ejaculate fertility used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment of infertility in couples. Materials and methods. The study involved semen samples of 96 men of reproductive age: the study group (n=63) – patients with a decrease in concentration and/or total content of spermatozoa in ejaculate, the comparison group (n=33) – men with normal concentration and number of spermatozoa in ejaculate. The content of FABP in SP was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the test system “FABP – ELISA – BEST” (A-9102, Vector-Best, Russia). In order to determine the informative value of using the concentration of FABP in SP as a criterion of ejaculate fertility of men of the study group, the predictive value of positive and negative IVF results was determined by calculating the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and efficiency. Results. The content of FABP in SP accounted for 1.29 ± 0.24 ng/mL, the median and interquartile range comprised 1.23 [1.13–1.35] ng/mL, ranging from 1.08 to 2.79 ng/mL. The study revealed statistically significant intergroup differences (Mann-Whitney test U=79.00; p=0.000016), a weak correlation between the level of FABP and the concentration of spermatozoa (R=0.578008) and their number in ejaculate (R=0.583599). The diagnostic sensitivity of the test for FABP in SP of the men of the study group accounted for 81.82%, specificity – 78.95%, efficiency – 80.95%. Conclusion. Seminal plasma FABP can act as a marker of spermatogenesis disorders. The study of this protein in ejaculate provides the accuracy of predicting the outcome of in vitro fertilization.