Creatine Kinase Activity in Human Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma Lacks Predictive Value for Male Fertility in In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

Objective: To examine the predictive value of creatine kinase in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma from patients treated in an IVF program. Design: Prospective, blind clinical study. Setting: Male infertility clinic. Patient(s): Seventy-three patients and 32 fathers (age, <45 years). Intervention(s): Determination of creatine kinase activity in seminal plasma, washed spermatozoa, and swim-up purified spermatozoa from patients treated in an IVF program. Main Outcome Measure(s): Creatine kinase activity in seminal plasma, washed spermatozoa, and swim-up purified spermatozoa. Result(s): Creatine kinase activity in washed spermatozoa correlated significantly with normal sperm morphology. No significant correlations were found between creatine kinase activity or creatine kinase isoenzyme ratio in seminal plasma, washed spermatozoa, or swim-up purified spermatozoa and success in the IVF program. The percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology was significantly lower in patients whose sperm did not fertilize than in patients whose sperm did fertilize oocytes and in the control group of proven fathers. Conclusion(s): Total creatine kinase activity and creatine kinase isoenzyme distribution are not sperm function markers for prediction of male fertility in IVF treatment.