[Hyperuricemia reduces semen parameters in infertile men]

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Urology
• Andrology

Background:

• Hyperuricemia (HUA), characterized by elevated serum uric acid (SUA), is increasingly recognized as a potential factor affecting male reproductive health.
• Understanding the specific impact of HUA on semen parameters is crucial for diagnosing and managing male infertility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between hyperuricemia and semen quality in a cohort of infertile men.
• To determine if elevated serum uric acid levels correlate with specific reductions in semen volume and sperm count.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 402 infertile men, categorized based on fasting serum uric acid (SUA) levels (≥420 μmol/L for HUA group).
• Semen parameters were assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA).
• Serum uric acid levels were quantified via chemical colorimetry.

Main Results:

• Men with HUA exhibited significantly lower mean semen volume (2.40 vs. 2.80 ml) and total sperm count (120.51 vs. 187.21 ×10^6) compared to men with normal SUA.
• Age-specific analysis revealed reduced semen volume in HUA patients aged 25-34 years and diminished total sperm count in those aged 30-34 years.
• Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between SUA levels and both semen volume (r = -0.193) and total sperm count (r = -0.163).

Conclusions:

• Hyperuricemia significantly impairs semen quality, specifically reducing semen volume and total sperm count in infertile men.
• Serum uric acid levels are a relevant biomarker closely associated with male semen quality.