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Published on: November 29, 2018
Asthenozoospermia: analysis of a large population
S M Curi1, J I Ariagno, P H Chenlo
1Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica, UBA Hospital de Clińicas José de San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Archives of Andrology
|August 2, 2003
Summary
Low sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) affects over 80% of infertile men studied. This condition may stem from sperm environment issues or testicular problems, impacting fertilization success.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Andrology
- Infertility Research
Background:
- Sperm motility is crucial for fertilization.
- Asthenozoospermia, characterized by low sperm motility, is a significant cause of male infertility.
- Understanding the prevalence and etiological factors of asthenozoospermia is essential for diagnosing and treating male infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of asthenozoospermia in infertile men.
- To investigate potential etiological factors associated with asthenozoospermia, including leukocytospermia, germ cell ratio, anti-sperm antibodies, semen viscosity, biochemical markers, and sperm motility after swim-up.
- To differentiate between pure and combined forms of asthenozoospermia based on underlying causes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of semen parameters from 1992-1999.
- Categorization of samples into normospermic (N), asthenozoospermic (A), and combined asthenozoospermic (C) groups.
- Assessment of leukocytospermia, germ cell/sperm ratio, MAR-test (anti-sperm antibodies), semen viscosity, biochemical markers, and sperm recovery post-swim-up.
Main Results:
- Asthenozoospermia prevalence was 18.71%, with 63.13% additionally showing oligo- and/or teratozoospermia, totaling 81.84% with altered motility.
- No significant difference in leukocytospermia frequency was observed across groups.
- Statistically significant differences in germ cell/sperm ratio were found between combined asthenozoospermia and both normospermic and asthenozoospermic groups.
- Higher hyperviscosity and decreased biochemical markers were noted in asthenozoospermic samples.
- Anti-sperm antibodies (MAR-test > 40%) were present in asthenozoospermic groups but not in normospermic.
- Pure and combined asthenozoospermia exhibited distinct post-swim-up sperm recovery patterns.
Conclusions:
- Asthenozoospermia is highly prevalent in infertile men, often co-occurring with other sperm pathologies.
- Two distinct types of asthenozoospermia are suggested: 'pure' asthenozoospermia linked to the seminal environment (immotility factors, viscosity, accessory gland function) and 'combined' asthenozoospermia involving testicular dysfunction.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms and develop targeted treatments for these distinct asthenozoospermia subtypes.
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