Associations between male reproductive characteristics and the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART)

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the relationships between indicators of male body mass index (BMI), age, reproductive hormone levels, semen parameters, and the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The clinical data were collected from 636 couples who underwent ART between January, 2013 and December, 2015 at the reproductive center involved in our study. Pearson's correlation or Spearman rank correlation was applied to establish the relevant correlation coefficients. The correlation between influence factors' and pregnancy outcomes was analyzed using the Logistic regression model. Analyses were conducted using SPSS software. Male BMI was found to be negatively correlated with testosterone (T) (P<0.05), while follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was negatively correlated with semen parameters (P<0.05). Luteinizing hormone (LH) was found to be negatively correlated with total sperm count, normal sperm morphology, and abortion (all P<0.05). Clinical pregnancy was related to sperm concentration and female age (P<0.05), and live birth was found to be associated only with female age (P<0.05). Male BMI was associated with the secretion of reproductive hormones, but had no effect on sperm parameters or ART outcome. A higher male age was also negatively connected with the outcome of clinical pregnancy. Reproductive hormones were not associated with ART outcome. Sperm concentration and female age were important factors influencing ART clinical pregnancy, while the only significant factor influencing live birth was female age. Levels of obesity-related inflammatory indicators (i.e. free fatty acid (FFA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), human inhibin-B (IHNB), interleukin-1 (IL-1), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and reactive oxygen species (ROS)) also varied with degrees of BMI. The present study provides information on the associations between male reproductive characteristics and the outcome of ART, which may contribute to improved strategies to help couples achieve better pregnancy outcomes.

Poor intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome in infertile males with azoospermia factor c microdeletions

“…Meanwhile, there was a significant difference in the male age between the 2 groups in the current study, but the age of the males in the 2 groups was not old enough to affect ART outcome (male age >50) (26). Also, male FSH, LH, and testicular volume did not effect ART outcome (27), despite significant differences between the 2 groups. In addition, the 2 groups differed significantly in the rate of ICSI cycles with fresh sperm (P< .05), affecting neither the CCPR nor the cumulative LBDR by logistic regression (CCPR, P¼ .746; cumulative LBDR, P¼ .296; data not shown).…”

Sperm origins and concentration do not impact the clinical outcomes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles

“…As for clinical outcomes between severe oligozoospermia and mild oligozoospermia, several studies have concluded that sperm concentration positively affects the likelihood of achieving pregnancy. 27 28 29 However, our results agree with the findings of Zheng et al . 13 whereby decreased sperm concentration and motility retarded ICSI fertilization rates; however, no differences in live birth rates were observed.…”

“…The logistic regression analysis of cumulative live births demonstrated that female age and BMI were negatively associated with cumulative live birth, which is consistent with earlier studies. 29 31 Interestingly, our results also demonstrated that male age is positively associated with birth outcome. Only a few studies have investigated this association, specifically that male age has a positive impact on fertility outcomes.…”

Circulating sex hormone levels in relation to male sperm quality

“…These evidences are in support of our findings, suggesting a critical role of LH in sperm motility. Although recent studies support that LH may be also implicated in sperm morphology [24,25], specific mechanisms remain unknown. More functional research is warranted to clarify the current results.…”