Pattern of Some Sperm Proteins, Anti-oxidants, Testosterone, and Prostate-Specific Antigen of Infertile Males with Sperm Cell Deformities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Aim: Infertility is a global problem affecting both males and females. It is a condition with psychological, economic, and medical implications resulting in trauma and stress, particularly in a society where there is a strong emphasis on childbearing. The study therefore aims to investigate the pattern of some sperm proteins, anti-oxidants, and prostate-specific antigen in the seminal plasma of infertile males with sperm cell deformities.

Study Design: The study is a case-control study designed to investigate semen parameters and sperm proteins in infertile males with sperm cell deformities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt between the periods of September 2019 and Feb. 2022. However, some of the Laboratory investigations were done in the Chemical Pathology Unit and Medical Microbiology Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. The Study was between the periods of September 2019 and Feb. 2022.

Methodology: A total of 193 male subjects participated in the study. These subjects were grouped into normospermic males (100), azoospermic (40) and oligospermic males (53). Based on their sperm cell morphology and active motility, they were further classified into asthenozoospermic (40), oligoasthenozoospermic (48), teratozoospermic (26), asthenoteratozoospermic (32), and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (22). HSP70, PKA, MDA, TAC, and GPX (in seminal plasma), PSA, and testosterone (in serum) were analyzed using ELISA while TAC was done using spectrophotometric methods. Results obtained were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism and SPSS.

Results: Sperm motility, TSC, and normal sperm morphology were poor in oligospermic subjects but were very severe in OAT subjects. HSP70 and PKA were significantly increased while OPN, TAC, and GPX were significantly decreased in the seminal plasma of infertile males with abnormal sperm cells. Testosterone and PSA in blood plasma were significantly lower and higher respectively.

Conclusion: Oxidative stress played a significant role in sperm cell deformities and fertility. OAT subjects were the most affected.