The effects of hormonal changes on sperm DNA integrity in oligoasthenoteratospermia individuals: A case-control study

Hormonal imbalance is one of the important etiological factors for Oligoasthenoteratospermias (OAT).

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hormonal changes including prolactin, TSH, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and anti-Mullerian hormone on sperm DNA fragmentation in normal men compared with OAT to design a clinical algorithm for the comprehensive study of male factor infertilities.

We consecutively selected 60 candidates referred to the infertility clinic to collect the semen and blood samples. Then, a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling test was performed to evaluate the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). After semen analysis and DFI checking, they were classified into 4 groups consisting of normospermia and OAT men each with or without increased DFI. Hormone parameters were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunoassay.

Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels showed positive correlations with DFI in a significant way (p ≤ 0.01), while testosterone and thyroid-stimulating hormone were associated with sperm concentration. Prolactin and anti-Mullerian hormone levels significantly correlated (p ≤ 0.01) with sperm concentration and DFI value simultaneously.

Decreased and increased levels of serum hormones could adversely affect semen profile and sperm DNA integrity which lead to severe male infertility. Although we investigated the effects of the main hormones related to male infertility on DNA damage, the role of these hormones on the fertilization rate and embryo quality needs to be evaluated in further studies.