Abstract
Background. Reduced testicular volume (TV) (<12 cm3) is associated with lower testicular function. Several studies explored the conventional sperm parameters (concentration, motility, and morphology) and the endocrine function (gonadotropins and testosterone serum concentrations) in the patients with reduction of TV. No other parameters have been examined. Aim. This study aims at evaluating some biofunctional sperm parameters by flow cytometry in the semen of men with reduced TV compared with that of subjects with normal TV. Methods. 78 patients without primary scrotal disease were submitted to ultrasound evaluation of the testis. They were divided into two groups according to testicular volume: A Group, including 40 patients with normal testicular volume (TV > 15 cm3) and B Group, including 38 patients with reduced testicular volume (TV ≤ 12 cm3). All patients underwent serum hormone concentration, conventional and biofunctional (flow cytometry) sperm parameters evaluation. Results. With regard to biofunctional sperm parameters, all values (mitochondrial membrane potential, phosphatidylserine externalization, chromatin compactness, and DNA fragmentation) were strongly negatively correlated with testicular volume (P < 0.0001). Conclusions. This study for the first time in the literature states that the biofunctional sperm parameters worsen and with near linear correlation, with decreasing testicular volume.
Highlights
The testis is an oval-shaped organ that in adult men weighs about 20 g which has an average volume (TV) of 18.6 ± 4.8 cm3 and dimensions ranging from 3.6 to 5.5 cm in length and from 2.1 to 3.5 cm in width
The pH of the seminal fluid did not vary significantly in patients with low testicular volume (TV) compared to those with normal TV. These patients with low TV had a statistically significant lower seminal fluid volume, sperm concentration, and percentage of progressive motility and spermatozoa with normal form compared with men with normal TV (P < 0.05, Student’s t-test)
The percentage of immature germ cells was significantly higher in patients with low TV compared to patients with normal TV (P < 0.05, Student’s t-test)
Summary
The testis is an oval-shaped organ that in adult men weighs about 20 g which has an average volume (TV) of 18.6 ± 4.8 cm and dimensions ranging from 3.6 to 5.5 cm in length and from 2.1 to 3.5 cm in width. Testis consists of two structurally distinct compartments: the interstitial compartment and the seminiferous tubules containing germ and Sertoli cells These two compartments are responsible for the two main testicular functions: production of androgens and spermatozoa, respectively [1]. The aim of this study was to evaluate nonconventional sperm parameters (mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and chromatin/DNA integrity) in men with reduced TV. These parameters were compared with those evaluated in men with normal TV. Several studies explored the conventional sperm parameters (concentration, motility, and morphology) and the endocrine function (gonadotropins and testosterone serum concentrations) in the patients with reduction of TV. This study for the first time in the literature states that the biofunctional sperm parameters worsen and with near linear correlation, with decreasing testicular volume
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