Correlation between abnormal lipid profile and semen parameters in infertile males: Experience at a Tertiary care hospital.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the correlation between abnormal lipid profile and semen parameters in infertile males. Study Design: Observational Cross-sectional Study. Setting: Department of Urology and Pathology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital (SZH), Rahim Yar Khan. Period: January 2022 and December 2023. Methods: Infertile males between 18 to 45 years of age visiting the outdoor clinic subjected to semen analysis as work up of infertility. Infertile males with high BMI (>25kg/m2), family history of dyslipidemia and family history of high BMI were subjected to the estimation of lipid profile. A total of 127 infertile males with abnormal lipid profile were included. Serum total cholesterol >200 mg/dl, serum triglycerides >150 mg/dl, serum LDL >50 mg/dl, and serum HDL <40 mg/dl were the markers for an abnormal lipid profile. The study examined the correlation between aberrant lipid profile and characteristics related to semen, including sperm concentration (millions/ml), total sperm quantity (millions/ejaculate), morphology (percentage of normal forms), motility (percentage of progressive motility), and vitality (percentage of live). P-value less than 0.05 was deemed significant. Results: Mean age of the total 127 study subjects was 33±5.414years. Positive correlation of serum cholesterol has been found with respect to total sperm number (r=1.040), morphology (r=1.622), motility (r=0.832) and vitality(r=1.471). Positive correlation of triglyceride was found with respect to age (r=1.280) and sperm concentration (r=1.729). Positive correlation of HDL-c found with respect to sperm concentration (r=1.116). LDL-c shows positive correlation with respect to age (r=1.342), sperm concentration(r=0.856), total sperm number (r=1.757) and vitality(r=1.347). Statistically significant difference of serum cholesterol with respect to vitality (p value: 0.004), HDL-c with respect to sperm concentration (p value: 0.024), LDL-c with respect to age (p value: 0.037) and total sperm number (p value: 0.049) has been found. Conclusion: On the basis of our study, it has been concluded that abnormal lipid profile is positively correlated with semen parameters with significant correlation of LDL-c with total sperm number. Infertile males should have their lipid profile assessed to determine whether it adversely affects the characteristics of their semen parameters.