Normal values of creatine kinase and its correlation with semen parameters and clinical varicocele in a fertile population

Abstract

ObjectiveCreatine kinase (CK) M isoform in human sperm is regulated and expressed during late espermiogenesis. Gametes expressing immaturity present higher levels of total CK and other cytoplasmic enzymes. The objective of this study was to determine the normal reference values for seminal CK in a population of fertile subjects and evaluate its correlation with clinical varicocele and seminal parameters.DesignProspective.Materials and methodsOne hundred and twenty-one fertile men requesting vasectomy and 30 infertile positive control patients were included. Physical examination, standard semen analysis, seminal leukocyte counts and total seminal CK levels were assessed in all samples. Fertile men with leukocytospermia were excluded.ResultsTable 1Correlation of CK levels with semen parameters and varicocele in fertile menNote: WHO = World Health Organization; ∗P<0.05 was considered statistically significant (Spearman's Rho test). Open table in a new tab ConclusionsWe defined the cutoff values of CK in a fertile population. These values will allow the use of this important marker in the evaluation of patients with male infertility in an Andrology laboratory. ObjectiveCreatine kinase (CK) M isoform in human sperm is regulated and expressed during late espermiogenesis. Gametes expressing immaturity present higher levels of total CK and other cytoplasmic enzymes. The objective of this study was to determine the normal reference values for seminal CK in a population of fertile subjects and evaluate its correlation with clinical varicocele and seminal parameters. Creatine kinase (CK) M isoform in human sperm is regulated and expressed during late espermiogenesis. Gametes expressing immaturity present higher levels of total CK and other cytoplasmic enzymes. The objective of this study was to determine the normal reference values for seminal CK in a population of fertile subjects and evaluate its correlation with clinical varicocele and seminal parameters. DesignProspective. Prospective. Materials and methodsOne hundred and twenty-one fertile men requesting vasectomy and 30 infertile positive control patients were included. Physical examination, standard semen analysis, seminal leukocyte counts and total seminal CK levels were assessed in all samples. Fertile men with leukocytospermia were excluded. One hundred and twenty-one fertile men requesting vasectomy and 30 infertile positive control patients were included. Physical examination, standard semen analysis, seminal leukocyte counts and total seminal CK levels were assessed in all samples. Fertile men with leukocytospermia were excluded. ResultsTable 1Correlation of CK levels with semen parameters and varicocele in fertile menNote: WHO = World Health Organization; ∗P<0.05 was considered statistically significant (Spearman's Rho test). Open table in a new tab Note: WHO = World Health Organization; ∗P<0.05 was considered statistically significant (Spearman's Rho test). ConclusionsWe defined the cutoff values of CK in a fertile population. These values will allow the use of this important marker in the evaluation of patients with male infertility in an Andrology laboratory. We defined the cutoff values of CK in a fertile population. These values will allow the use of this important marker in the evaluation of patients with male infertility in an Andrology laboratory.