Abstract
Objective
To investigate the relationship between lipids in both serum and seminal plasma and male infertility.
Methods
Six hundred and thirty-one men were enrolled in this study. Their obesity-associated markers were measured, and semen parameters were analyzed. Also, seminal plasma and serum TC, TG, HDL and LDL and serum FFA levels were detected.
Results
Seminal plasma and serum TG, TC and LDL levels were positively related to age. Serum TC, TG and LDL were positively related to obesity-associated markers (P<0.001), while only seminal plasma TG was positively related to them (P<0.05). For lipids levels in serum and seminal plasma, only TG level had slightly positive correlation between them (r=0.081, P=0.042). There was hardly any correlation between serum lipids levels and semen parameters. However, seminal plasma TG, TC, LDL and HDL levels were negatively related to one or several semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, progressive motility and total normal-progressively motile sperm counts. Moreover, seminal plasma TG, TC, LDL and HDL levels in patients with oligospermatism, asthenospermia and teratozoospermia were higher than corresponding normal groups.
Conclusions
The metabolism abnormality of lipids in male reproductive system may affect male fertility.
Keywords: Obesity, lipids, semen parameter, seminal plasma