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Seminal plasma transferrin and seminiferous tubular dysfunction
Fertility and Sterility
|May 1, 1986
Summary
Seminal plasma transferrin levels are lower in men with low sperm counts (oligospermia) or no sperm (azoospermia). Transferrin levels do not reliably indicate fertility issues or Sertoli cell dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Andrology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Seminal plasma transferrin, a protein found in semen, plays a role in iron transport.
- Its precise relationship with sperm parameters and male fertility is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate seminal plasma transferrin levels in relation to sperm characteristics, fertilizing capacity, and hormonal profiles.
- To determine if transferrin is a reliable biomarker for male infertility.
Main Methods:
- Assayed seminal plasma transferrin concentrations in 158 semen samples from normospermic, oligospermic, and azoospermic men.
- Evaluated correlations with sperm density, motility, morphology, and zona-free hamster ova penetration assay results.
- Compared transferrin levels with serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower seminal plasma transferrin concentrations were found in azoospermic and oligospermic men compared to normospermic men.
- Transferrin levels showed a positive correlation with sperm density and total sperm count.
- No significant correlations were observed with sperm motility, morphology, fertilizing capacity, or serum FSH/LH levels.
Conclusions:
- Seminal plasma transferrin is not a suitable marker for Sertoli cell or seminiferous tubular dysfunction.
- Measuring seminal plasma transferrin is unlikely to provide additional insights into male fertility potential.