Serum Selenoprotein P and Glutathione Expression in Relation to Sperm Kinetic Parameters in Patients with Asthenospermia.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship amongst serum selenoprotein P (SeP), glutathione (GSH) expression and sperm kinetic parameters in patients with asthenospermia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on men of reproductive age who underwent preconception testing at the Center for Reproductive Medicine between October 2022 and October 2024. The study subjects were divided into a case group and a healthy group based on the percentage of progressive motile sperm. Comparative analysis was performed to analyse the serum SeP of the two groups, GSH and spermatozoa kinetic parameters.

Results: A total of 147 cases were included in the case group and 151 cases into the healthy group. Significant differences in body mass index (BMI), smoking addicted population, regular drinking behavioural population and daily sleep hours were observed between the two groups (p < 0.001). Forward-moving spermatozoa, sperm concentration and total sperm survival were significantly higher in the healthy group than in the case group, whereas the number of non-anterior motion force was significantly lower in the healthy group than in the case group (p < 0.001). The serum SeP and GSH levels of the case group were significantly lower than those in the healthy group (p < 0.001). SeP was negatively correlated with non-anterior motion force (r = -0.476) and positively correlated with other sperm kinetic parameters (r_{forward-moving spermatozoa} = 0.473/r_{sperm concentration} = 0.485/r_{Total sperm viability} = 0.518). GSH was negatively correlated with non-anterior motion force (r = -0.601) and positively correlated with other sperm kinetic parameters (r_{forward-moving spermatozoa} = 0.518/r_{sperm concentration} = 0.554/r_{Total sperm viability} = 0.524), with all correlations being statistically significant (p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that the BMI (β = -0.217, p < 0.001), daily sleep time (β = 0.236, p < 0.001), SeP (β = 0.253, p < 0.001), GSH (β = 0.325, p < 0.001), presence of smoking addictive behaviours (β = -0.085, p = 0.031) and presence of regular alcohol consumption behaviours (β = -0.083, p = 0.034) were the factors influencing forward-moving spermatozoa. Malondialdehyde showed a negative correlation with SeP and GSH (r = -0.471, -0.543, p < 0.001). SeP and GSH showed good efficacy in the diagnosis of asthenospermia (area under curve (AUC) = 0.824, 0.852).

Conclusions: Serum SeP and GSH levels are closely associated with sperm kinetic parameters in patients with asthenospermia, and the mechanism may be related to an imbalance in the antioxidant defence system and oxidative stress damage.