The influence of sperm DNA damage and semen homocysteine on male infertility

Abstract

Background: To explore the relationship of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) , serum and seminal plasma homocysteine (Hcy), and semen parameters in patients with severe spermatogenetic dysfunction. Methods: A total of 77 infertile males treated in our hospital for severe spermatogenetic dysfunction from January 2016 to November 2017 were recruited. The involved patients were divided into two groups: oligozoospermia (SOM group, 35 cases) and asthenozoospermia (OAT group, 42 cases). The control group (NM group) contained 31 healthy males without reproductive dysfunctions. All the participants involved were tested in the items below: spermatozoa parameters, spermatozoa DFI, serum Hcy level and seminal plasma Hcy level, concentration of seminal plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Results: Between the SOM group and NM group, there were significantly difference in sperm concentration, motility and vitality, concentration of MDA, and TAC. The spermatozoa DFI and Hcy levels in SOM group were significantly higher than those of the NM group. Sperm DFI was positively correlated with serum Hcy level (r = 0.083, P 0.05). Conclusions: The elevated Hcy level and spermatozoa DFI may be important factors of the severe spermatogenetic dysfunction, which can be used as semen index to evaluate sperm quality and male fertility.

Keywords

• DNA Fragmentation Index; Homocysteine; Male Infertility; Routine Spermatozoa Parameters