Cementing the relationship between conventional and advanced semen parameters

Abstract

Background Affordable conventional semen analysis remains a fundamental procedure to be performed routinely during the diagnosis of male infertility. Advanced semen analyses provide valuable clinical insights in treatment-related decision-making, but these are highly expensive and lack universal standardization. This study aimed at determining the relationship between conventional semen parameters, measured with assistance of computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), and a set of advanced semen tests. Basic semen analysis (n = 124) was performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Sperm DNA fragmentation and intracellular superoxide (O2−•) levels were assessed by flow cytometry. Seminal plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity were measured by spectrophotometry. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results Semen pH correlated negatively with TBARS (p < 0.01). The proportions of total and progressively motile as well as rapid spermatozoa correlated positively with CAT activity (p < 0.05). Sperm viability correlated negatively with both O2−• (p < 0.05) and DNA fragmentation (p = 0.01), while normal morphology correlated negatively with O2−• levels (p < 0.05) and positively with CAT activity (p < 0.05). Straight-line velocity (VCL) and average-path velocity (VAP) correlated negatively with both O2−• (p < 0.01) and TBARS (p < 0.01). Amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) correlated negatively with O2−• (p < 0.01) and DNA fragmentation (p < 0.01), while its correlation with SOD activity was positive (p < 0.05). Conclusion The results obtained from this study support the validity of some CASA parameters as sensitive indicators of changes in sperm oxidative status and DNA integrity. Predicting advanced from conventional parameters through the building of linear regression models should be considered for future studies.

Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: Evidence From a Research Perspective

“…Furthermore, the observed inverse relationship between intracellular sperm O −• 2 levels and VAP is important in advancing our understanding of the possible role of free radicals in constraining the actual rate of sperm-forward movement within the female reproductive tract, which is vital for successful fertilization. These scientific revelations complement those of previous investigators and contribute, additional evidence, with respect to the significance of detailed CASA motility, velocity and kinematic parameters in cementing the relationship between conventional semen analysis and the oxidative status (107).…”

“…In this regard, the SURRG has published the most recent and comprehensive study aiming at establishing statistical correlations between conventional semen parameters obtained with Computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and a set of OS and membrane lipid peroxidation variables. The insight gained from this study complement those of previous investigations and contribute additional evidence with respect to the significance of detailed CASA motility, velocity and kinematic parameters in bridging the gap between conventional semen analysis and the oxidative status ( 107 ). Results obtained from this study indicates that rapid progressive motility should prove to be particularly valuable sensitive indicator of lipid peroxidation that could be impaired prior to any detectable deterioration in other sperm motion characteristics.…”

The Influence of Male Ejaculatory Abstinence Time on Pregnancy Rate, Live Birth Rate and DNA Fragmentation: A Systematic Review

“…This systematic review includes the highest amount of studies to date and finds supporting results when compared with three earlier systematic reviews investigating the influence of EA on semen quality and clinical outcomes following ART [ 12 , 13 , 44 ]. One review from 2021 compared <2, 2–7 and >7 days of EA and found the highest pregnancy and live birth rate with EA of <2 days compared with 2–7 and >7 days.…”

“…The sixth edition of the WHO manual for examining and processing human semen has been recently released, recommending 2–7 days of EA prior to semen collection for diagnostic purposes [ 2 ]. Several recent studies have reported a correlation between short EA and lower DNA fragmentation and thus better semen quality [ 12 , 13 ]. Much indicates that a short EA in the context of ART may lead to higher pregnancy rates.…”

Investigating Visual Monitoring of the Scrotum as a Supplementary Tool for Boar Semen Quality Evaluation

“…The results of the present study did not reveal a strong correlation of SC with sperm motility and kinematics, except with the VAP variable, where significant correlation was noticed. VAP is considered as the time-averaged velocity of the sperm head along its average path, indicating the forward speed of a spermatozoon [ 20 ]. It is an important parameter which has been significantly negatively correlated with seminal plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and intracellular superoxide (O 2 −• ) levels in human sperm [ 21 ].…”