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Semen alterations and flow-citometry evaluation in patients with male accessory gland infections

S La Vignera1, R Condorelli, R D'Agata

  • 1Section of Endocrinology, Andrology and Internal Medicine and Master in Andrological, Human Reproduction and Biotechnology Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy. sandrolavignera@email.it

Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|September 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Male accessory gland infections (MAGI) significantly impair sperm quality, reducing motility and normal forms while increasing DNA fragmentation and abnormal chromatin. Flow cytometry can help diagnose these male infertility issues.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Andrology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Male accessory gland infections (MAGI) are a primary cause of male infertility.
  • MAGI lead to secretory dysfunction in the prostate, seminal vesicles, and epididymis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate conventional and nonconventional sperm parameters in patients with MAGI.
  • To assess the utility of flow cytometry in diagnosing male infertility associated with MAGI.

Main Methods:

  • 150 patients with MAGI underwent two sperm analyses.
  • Flow cytometry was used to assess DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, and chromatin compactness.

Main Results:

  • MAGI patients exhibited lower sperm progressive motility and normal forms, with higher seminal white blood cells.
  • Increased DNA fragmentation, low MMP, PS externalization, and abnormal chromatin compactness were observed in MAGI patients.
  • MAGI patients had a lower percentage of viable spermatozoa compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with MAGI demonstrate significant alterations in both conventional and biofunctional sperm parameters.
  • Flow cytometry evaluation is suggested as a valuable diagnostic tool for male infertility in MAGI patients.

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