Seminal Plasma Survivin in Fertile and Infertile Males

Abstract

We assessed survivin (an inhibitor of apoptosis) protein in the seminal plasma of infertile and fertile males. Seminal plasma survivin was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 23 healthy fertile volunteers, 22 men with oligo-asthenozoospermia, 37 with nonobstructive azoospermia and 12 with obstructive azoospermia. Histopathology and testicular sperm extraction were done in testicular tissue biopsies from obstructive azoospermia and nonobstructive azoospermia cases. Mean seminal survivin was highest in fertile controls, less in oligo-asthenozoospermic cases and low in nonobstructive azoospermia cases with significant differences. In obstructive azoospermia cases seminal plasma survivin was absent. Seminal survivin positively correlated with sperm concentration and total sperm motility, and negatively correlated with the percent of sperm abnormal forms. Seminal survivin was detectable in nonobstructive azoospermia cases in which testicular sperm extraction was successful but absent in such cases when testicular sperm extraction was unsuccessful. Seminal survivin is testicular in origin. It is related to spermatogenesis and sperm motility processes. Seminal survivin was related to successful testicular sperm extraction in nonobstructive azoospermia cases.