OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlations of 24 biochemical markers in the seminal plasma with routine semen parameters.

METHODSAccording to the WHO5 standards, we analyzed the routine semen parameters of 66 subfertile men, including the semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PR). Based on the calibration and quality control measures and using an automatic biochemistry analyzer or electrolyte analyzer, we detected 24 biochemical markers in the seminal plasma of the patients, including total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glb), uric acid (UA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), alpha hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (αHBDH), adenosine deaminase (ADA), glucose (Glu), triglyeride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), urea nitrogen (UN), creatinine (Cr), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), K+, Na+, Cl- , Ca, Mg, and phosphorus (P). Then we analyzed the correlations of the 24 biochemical markers with routine semen parameters.

RESULTSThe levels of the TP, Alb, and Glb proteins in the seminal plasma were positively correlated with sperm concentration, so was that of Alb with the total sperm count, and the AST and LDH activities with sperm concentration and total sperm count. The AKP activity in the seminal plasma was correlated negatively with the semen volume, but positively with sperm motility. The αHBDH activity exhibited a positive correlation with both sperm concentration and total sperm count, with a coefficient of correlation (r) above 0.7. The UN level was correlated negatively with the semen volume, so was the Cr level with the semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count, and the Glu level with sperm concentration and total sperm count. The TG level was correlated positively with the semen volume, but negatively with sperm motility. The levels of seminal plasma ALT, GGT, ADA, UA, TC, CK, and hsCRP showed no correlation with the above-mentioned semen parameters. None of the seminal plasma K+, Na+, Ca, Mg, and P levels was found correlated with semen parameters except the Cl- level, which was negatively correlated with the semen volume.

CONCLUSIONMany biochemical markers in the seminal plasma are closely related to routine semen parameters, indicating that these biochemical components may play roles in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, and physiological metabolism.