Assessment of Seminal Alpha Glucosidase among Infertile Oligoasthenoteratozoospermic Men Post Varicocelectomy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Andrology, Sexology and STIs Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt

2 Clinical and Chemical pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt

3 Andrology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility. Alpha-glucosidase (α-GLUC) is normal constituent of human semen produced mainly in epididymis and is evaluated as a marker for seminal quality. The aim of this study was to assess seminal α-GLUC in infertile men with varicocele and post varicocelectomy. This study was conducted at Beni-Suef University Hospital. Sixty Egyptian male participants were divided into Group I:  Fertile normozoospermic (n=30) as healthy control, Group II: Infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) with varicocele (n=30) who underwent varicocelectomy, follow up for 3 months and were classified as Group III:  Infertile OAT post varicocelectomy. Semen analysis was performed manually and seminal α-GLUC was assayed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).  Males with varicocele showed statistically significant decrease regarding sperm count, percentage of motile sperms and percentage of normal sperm forms when compared to healthy subjects. Semen parameters showed significant improvement after varicocelectomy. Seminal α-GLUC was statistically significantly higher among fertile normozoospermic men and post varicocelectomy when compared to infertile OAT men. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between α-GLUC level and semen parameters. Moreover, α-GLUC showed sensitivity of (100% and 85%) and specificity of (100%) at cut off values (≤2.67 pg/ml and ≤4.3 pg/ml) between infertile OAT varicocele when compared to fertile normozoospermic and post varicocelectomy men, respectively (p<0.001). In conclusion, seminal α-GLUC could be suggested as marker for judging quality of semen in infertile men with varicocele where varicocelectomy was found to improve α-GLUC level suggesting it to have a role in fertility among men.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. World Health Organization (WHO). International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) Geneva: WHO 2018.
  2. Agarwal, A., Finelli, R., Durairajanayagam, D., Leisegang, K., Henkel, R., Salvio, G., Aghamajidi, A., Sengupta, P., Crisóstomo, L., Tsioulou, P.A., Roychoudhury, S., Finocchi, F., Darbandi, M., Mottola, F., Darbandi, S., Iovine, C., Santonastaso, M., Zaker, H., Kesari, K.K., Nomanzadeh, A., Gugnani, N., Rambhatla, A., Duran, M.B., Ceyhan, E., Kandil, H., Arafa, M., Saleh, R., Shah, R., Ko, E., & Boitrelle, F. (2022). Comprehensive Analysis of Global Research on Human Varicocele: A Scientometric Approach. World J Mens Health, 40(4):636-652. doi: 10.5534/wjmh.210202.
  3. Vander Borght, M., & Wyns, C. (2018). Fertility and infertility: Definition and epidemiology. Clin Biochem, 62:2-10. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.03.012.
  4. Lomboy, J.R., & Coward, R.M. (2016). The Varicocele: Clinical Presentation, Evaluation, and Surgical Management. Semin Intervent Radiol; 33(3):163-9. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1586143.
  5. Mongioì, L. M., Mammino, L., Compagnone, M., Condorelli, R. A., Basile, A., Alamo, A., La Vignera S, Morgia G, Russo GI, Calogero, & E. (2019). Effects of Varicocele Treatment on Sperm Conventional Parameters: Surgical Varicocelectomy Versus Sclerotherapy. Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, 42(3):396-404. DOI: 10.1007/s00270-018-2136-4.
  6. Mostafa, T., Rashed, L., & Taymour, M. (2016). Seminal cyclooxygenase relationship with oxidative stress in infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men with Andrologia. 48:137-142.
  7. Mostafa, T., El Taweel, A. E. A. I., Rashed, L. A., Mohammed, N. A., & Akl, E. M. (2022). Assessment of seminal cystatin C levels in infertile men with varicocele: A preliminary study. Andrologia, 54(1), e14278.
  8. Shridharani, A., Owen, R. C., Elkelany, O. O., & Kim, E. D. (2016). The significance of clinical practice guidelines on adult varicocele detection and management. Asian journal of andrology, 18(2), 269–275. https://doi.org/10.4103/1008-682X.172641
  9. Lundy, S. D., & Sabanegh, E. S. (2018). Varicocele management for infertility and pain: a systematic review. Arab journal of urology, 16(1), 157-170.
  10. James, E. R., Carrell, D. T., Aston, K. I., Jenkins, T. G., Yeste, M., & Salas-Huetos, A. (2020). The role of the epididymis and the contribution of epididymosomes to mammalian reproduction. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(15), 5377.
  11. Peña, P., Risopatrón, J., Villegas, J., Miska, W., Schill, W.B., & Sánchez, R. (2004). Alpha-glucosidase in the human epididymis: topographic distribution and clinical application. Andrologia, 36(5):315-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2004.00625.x.
  12. Eertmans, F., Bogaert, V., Poecke, T.V., & Puype, B. (2014). An Improved Neutral a-Glucosidase Assay for Assessment of Epididymal Function—Validation and Comparison to the WHO Method. Diagnostics , 4(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics4010001.
  13. Olesen, I.A., Andersson, A.M., Aksglaede, L., Skakkebaek, N.E., Rajpert-de Meyts, E., Joergensen, N., & Juul, A. (2017). Clinical, genetic,biochemical, and testicular biopsy findings among 1213 men evaluated for infertility. Fertil. Steril, 107, 74–82.e7.
  14. Andrade, D. L., Viana, M. C., & Esteves, S. C. (2021). Differential Diagnosis of Azoospermia in Men with Infertility. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(14), 3144. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10143144.
  15. World Medical Association. Declaration of Helsinki: ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects, The 59th WMA General Assembly, Seoul, South Korea. 2008
  16. World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen.5th ed. WHO Press; Geneva, Switzerland: 2010.
  17. Lee, J. Y., Yu, H. S., Ham, W. S., Kang, D. H., Kim, K. H., Chung, D. Y., & Cho, K. S. (2014). Microsurgical intermediate subinguinal varicocelectomy. International Surgery, 99(4), 398-403.
  18. Pallotti, F., Barbonetti, A., Rastrelli, G., Santi, D., Corona, G., & Lombardo, F. (2022). The impact of male factors and their correct and early diagnosis in the infertile couple's pathway: 2021 perspectives. J Endocrinol Invest, 45, 1807–1822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-022-01778-7.
  19. Lazzarino, G., Listorti, I., Muzii, L., Amorini, A. M., Longo, S., Di Stasio, E., & Bilotta, P. (2018). Low-molecular weight compounds in human seminal plasma as potential biomarkers of male infertility. Human Reproduction, 33(10), 1817-1828.
  20. Tanaka, T., Kobori, Y., Terai, K., Inoue, Y., Osaka, A., Yoshikawa, N., Shimomura, Y., Suzuki, K., Minami, T., Iwahata, T., Onota, S., Yamamoto, A., Sugimoto, K., & Okada, H. (2022). Seminal oxidation-reduction potential and sperm DNA fragmentation index increase among infertile men with varicocele. Hum Fertil, 25(1):142-146. doi: 10.1080/14647273.2020.1712747.
  21. Shaygannia, E., Nasr-Esfahani, M. H., Sotoodehnejadnematalahi, F., & Parivar, K. (2021). Is ferroptosis involved in ROS-induced testicular lesions in a varicocele rat model? Basic and Clinical Andrology, 31(1), 1-13.
  22. Ammar, O., Tekeya, O., Hannachi, I., Sallem, A., Haouas, Z., & Mehdi, M. (2021). Increased Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Infertile Men with Varicocele: Relationship with Apoptosis, Seminal Oxidative Stress, and Spermatic Parameters. Reprod Sci, 28(3):909-919. doi: 10.1007/s43032-020-00311-6.
  23. Teixeira, T.A., Pariz, J.R., Dutra, R.T., Saldiva, P.H., Costa, E., & Hallak, J. (2019). Cut-off values of the Johnsen score and Copenhagen index as histopathological prognostic factors for postoperative semen quality in selected infertile patients undergoing microsurgical correction of bilateral subclinical varicocele. Transl Androl Urol, 8(4):346-355. doi: 10.21037/tau.2019.06.23. 
  24. Dabaja, A. A., & Goldstein, M. (2016). When is a varicocele repair indicated: the dilemma of hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction? Asian journal of andrology, 18(2), 213–216. https://doi.org/10.4103/1008-682X.169560
  25. Hammadi, I. J., Saeed, G. T., & Tawney, R. H. A. (2015). Evaluation of the Effects of Surgical Varicocelectomy on the Seminal Fluid Parameters in Patients with Clinical and Subclinical Varicocele. Journal of the Faculty of Medicine Baghdad, 57(1), 40-44.
  26. Pasqualotto, F.F., Lucon, A.M., Sobreiro, B.P., Pasqualotto, E.B. & Arap, S. (2004). Effects of Medical Therapy, Alcohol, Smoking, and Endocrine Disruptors on Male Infertility. Revista do Hospital das Clínicas, 59, 375-382. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0041-87812004000600011
  27. Miyaoka, R., & Esteves, S. C. (2012). A critical appraisal on the role of varicocele in male infertility. Advances in urology, 597495. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/597495
  28. Morini, D., Spaggiari, G., Daolio, J., Melli, B., Nicoli, A., De Feo, G., Valli, B., Viola, D., Garganigo, S., Magnani, E., Pilia, A., Polese, A., Colla, R., Simoni, M., Aguzzoli, L., Villani, M. T., & Santi, D. (2021). Improvement of sperm morphology after surgical varicocele repair. Andrology, 9(4), 1176–1184. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13012
  29. Qiu, Z., Chu, Q., Zhang, W., Luo, C., & Quan, S (2018). Level of neutral alpha-1,4-glucosidase in seminal plasma of Chinese men. Andrologia, 50(3). doi: 10.1111/and.12948.
  30. Fraczek, M., Wojnar, L., Kamieniczna, M., Piasecka, M., Gill, K., Kups, M., Chopyak, V., Havrylyuk, A., Nakonechnyy, J., Nakonechnyy, A., Wozniak, T., & Kurpisz, M. (2020). Seminal Plasma Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Different Genitourinary Topographical Regions Involved in Reproductive Tract Disorders Associated with Genital Heat Stress. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(17), 6427. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176427
  31. Moronkeji, M.A. & Emokpae, M.A. (2020). Alteration of neutral alpha glucosidase in seminal plasma and correlation with sperm motility among men investigated for infertility Nigeria: a cross-sectional study. Fertil Sci Res, 7:111-6. DOI:4103/2394-4285.288724.
  32. Vickram, S., Rohini, K., Srinivasan, S., Nancy Veenakumari, D., Archana, K., Anbarasu, K., Jeyanthi, P., Thanigaivel, S., Gulothungan, G., Rajendiran, N., & Srikumar, P. S. (2021). Role of Zinc (Zn) in Human Reproduction: A Journey from Initial Spermatogenesis to Childbirth. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(4), 2188. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22042188
  33. Cho, C.L., Esteves, S.C., & Agarwal, A (2016). Novel insights into the pathophysiology of varicocele and its association with reactive oxygen species and sperm DNA fragmentation. Asian J Androl, 18(2):186-93. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.170441.
  34. Kowalczyk, A. (2022). The Role of the Natural Antioxidant Mechanism in Sperm Cells. Reproductive sciences, 29(5), 1387–1394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00795-w
  35. Li, J.P., Zhang, X.Z., Wu, J.G., Liang, Z.Y., Tian, Y.H., Chen, C., Tang, Y.G. & Zhang, F.B. (2019).Seminal plasma neutral alpha-glucosidase activity as an early predictor of patency and natural pregnancy after microsurgical vasoepididymostomy. Andrologia, 51, (5)https://doi.org/10.1111/and.13235
  36. Castleton, P. E., Deluao, J. C., Sharkey, D. J., & McPherson, N. O. (2022). Measuring Reactive Oxygen Species in Semen for Male Preconception Care: A Scientist Perspective. Antioxidants, 11(2), 264. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020264
  37. Namekawa, T., Imamoto, T., Kato, M., Komiya, A., & Ichikawa, T. (2018). Vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy: Review of the procedures, outcomes, and predictors of patency and pregnancy over the last decade. Reproductive medicine and biology, 17(4), 343–355. https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12207.
Egyptian Journal of Medical Research
Volume 3, Issue 4
October 2022
Pages 149-168

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics