True corrected seminal fructose level: a better marker of the function of seminal vesicles in infertile men

Abstract

This study was designed to determine if the value obtained after multiplying motile sperm concentration by seminal fructose concentration, named "true corrected fructose", correlates with sperm motility in asthenozoospermic men. Forty-two male partners in infertile couples were studied. Men were treated with 100 mg daily of clomiphene citrate for 5 days. Blood and semen samples were collected before treatment and 24 h after the end of treatment. Serum testosterone, seminal fructose and sperm motility were measured in each subject. Corrected fructose (log. sperm concentration multiplied by seminal fructose), and true corrected fructose (log. motile sperm concentration multiplied by seminal fructose) values were calculated. Prevalence of asthenozoospermia was 42.85% (18 of 42). Prevalence of hypofunction of the seminal vesicles was 9.5% using seminal fructose as a marker; 40.5% using seminal corrected fructose as a marker and 47.6% using true corrected fructose as a marker of seminal vesicle function. Regression analysis showed a better coefficient of determination between true corrected fructose and motile sperm concentration (R2=0.20, p < 0.001) than with corrected fructose (R(2)=0.05, p < 0.1) or fructose concentration (R(2)=0.006, p < 0.5). Asthenozoospermia was observed in 22.7% of subjects with normal function of the seminal vesicles, and in 65% of men with low values of true corrected fructose (z=6.02, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that sperm motility grade 3 improved after treatment with clomiphene if true corrected fructose increased (p < 0.002). In those men whose seminal vesicle function improved after clomiphene treatment, a reduction in the prevalence of asthenozoospermia from 50 to 28.6% (z=3.10, p < 0.002) was observed whereas in those whose seminal vesicles did not respond to clomiphene the prevalence of asthenozoospermia was not reduced (z=1.05; p: NS). In conclusion, true corrected fructose measurement relates with sperm motility in cases of asthenozoospermia. Asthenozoospermia improves with clomiphene treatment if seminal vesicle function improves after treatment.

Improvement of penile erection, sperm count and seminal fructose levels in vivo and nitric oxide release in vitro by ayurvedic herbs

“…All the groups treated with the plant extract showed higher percentage increase in sperm count than the group that was treated with testosterone (group VI), which showed only a 9.80% increase compared to the control group. The seminal fructose concentration was measured and the resulting data were used to calculate for the true corrected seminal fructose concentration, which is a better marker of the function of seminal vesicles (Gonzales & Villena, 2001). The corrected seminal fructose concentration in mg/g of seminal vesicle was found to be 5.63 ± 0.15 in control group animals.…”

“…The determination of corrected seminal fructose content was performed using the standard methodology (Gonzales & Villena, 2001) with slight modification. In brief, the seminal vesicles of decapitated rats were weighed, minced and homogenised using a tissue homogeniser.…”

Identification of biochemical differences between different forms of male infertility by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy

“…For example, the level of fructose has been implicated as a marker of seminal vesicle function for different classes of male infertility patients [2]. Levels of true corrected seminal fructose have been suggested as a better marker of seminal vesicle function [12]. Although, there are debates over the level of fructose and infertility [2], our analysis suggests that fructose level in the azoospermic and oligozoospermic males are indeed low compared to healthy fertile males confirming the earlier observations [48].…”

Evaluation of Serum Testosterone, Progesterone, Seminal Antisperm Antibody, and Fructose Levels among Jordanian Males with a History of Infertility

“…Any change in the biochemical composition of semen, such as reduced fructose levels, was known to cause a reduction in sperm motility [18]. Fructose is an important source of energy for the sperm.…”