Spermogram and Hormone Profile Indicators Analysis Among Patients with Different Types of Male Infertility Depending on Antioxidant System Status

Abstract

The objective: evaluation of interrelation between indicators of spermoplasm, androgen profile and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in spermoplasm among men with different types of male infertility. Materials and methods. 39 men at the age ranged from 24 to 45 years with different degrees of spermatogenesis and hormonal profile disorders were examined; MDA content in spermoplasm among patients who were diagnosed with «secretory male infertility» (n=7) was 23.3-38.3 μm/l, diagnosed with «excretory-toxic male infertility» (n=32) – 17.3–53.0 μm/l, therefore this group was divided into subgroups: 1 – up to 19.9 μm/l; 2 – within 20.6–29.1 mcm/l; 3 – more than 30.0 μm/l. In spermoplasm of the control group (donor sperm), this indicator was within 20.8–24.9 μm/l range. Interrelation assessment between the investigated indicators was carried out by methods of variational and correlation analysis using non-parametric statistics. Results. Studies results showed that the number of white blood cells in patients’ sperm of all groups exceeded the standard, wherein a close connection between this indicator and MDA content in spermoplasm (r=0.99 and r=0.48, with α≤0,05) was established. In groups where lipid peroxidation activity was significantly higher than control indicators, the highest percentage of men (more than 40%) with reduced sperm activity and viability was detected. Free testosterone decrease was observed among almost 70-90% of examined men, while the most significant changes were found among patients who were diagnosed with «excretory-toxic male infertility» and high MDA content in spermoplasm. A close positive connection between MDA content and sperm dilution time (r=0.79; α≤0,05) was established in group of patients who were diagnosed with «secretory male infertility», as well as the level of LH in blood (r=0.74; α≤0,05); among patients who were diagnosed with «excretory-toxic male infertility» the status of the pro-antioxidant system, which is characterized as «oxidative stress» (third subgroup), a reliable negative association was found between MDA level in spermoplasm and the level of FSH in blood (r=– 0.75; α≤0,05). Conclusions. A relation between high MDA level in spermoplasm and increase of white blood cells number in sperm was established, as well as a decrease of sperm motor activity and content of bioavailable testosterone in blood.