Relationship between asthenozoospermia and selected macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical semen parameters

Abstract

Asthenozoospermia is a sperm motility disorder in which <32% of spermatozoa show progressive motility, according to the World Health Organization definition (WHO, 2010). Among causes of male infertility asthenozoospermia accounts for nearly 19%. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between asthenozoospermia and selected macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical parameters of semen. The semen of 112 males from infertile couples was studied. Basic sperm analysis was performed by manual method according to the WHO 2010 guidelines. Macroscopic parameters (volume, pH) and microscopic (total sperm number and concentration, percentage of vital spermatozoa and with normal morphology) were evaluated. Biochemical parameters (neutral α-glucosidase activity – epididymis activity marker, fructose concentration – seminal vesicles activity marker, and citric acid – prostatic activity marker) were evaluated by spectrophotometric method. Patients with asthenozoospermia had a statistically significant decrease in the ejaculate volume, lower total sperm number and lower percentage of vital sperms, as well as lower fructose and citric acid concentrations in comparison to those without asthenozoospermia. There were statistically significant positive correlations between the percentage of spermatozoa showing progressive movement and the ejaculate volume, total number and concentration of spermatozoa, percentage of with normal vitality and morphology, as well as total fructose concentration in the ejaculate. Conclusions: Asthenozoospermia may be associated with abnormal macroscopic and microscopic semen parameters such as reduced ejaculate volume, reduced sperm count, reduced spermatozoa and normal morphology, and reduced biochemical parameters. Co-occurrence of abnormal macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical parameters of semen may indicate a common etiological factor for these disorders.