Low folate in seminal plasma is associated with increased sperm DNA damage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine associations between vitamin B status, homocysteine (tHcy), semen parameters, and sperm DNA damage.


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
A tertiary referral fertility clinic.


METHODS
Two hundred fifty-one men of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, with subgroups of fertile (n = 70) and subfertile men (n = 63) defined according to semen concentration and proven fertility.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) as marker of sperm DNA damage determined using the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), and semen parameters assessed according to World Health Organization criteria; tHcy, folate, cobalamin, and pyridoxine concentrations determined in seminal plasma and blood.


RESULTS
In the total group of fertile and subfertile men, all biomarkers in blood were statistically significantly correlated with those in seminal plasma. No correlation was found between the biomarkers in blood and the semen parameters. In seminal plasma, both tHcy and cobalamin positively correlated with sperm count. Folate, cobalamin, and pyridoxine were inversely correlated with ejaculate volume. In fertile men, seminal plasma folate showed an inverse correlation with the DNA fragmentation index.


CONCLUSIONS
Low concentrations of folate in seminal plasma may be detrimental for sperm DNA stability.
Boxmeer
Jolanda C
JC
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Smit
Marij
M
Utomo
Elaine
E
Romijn
Johannes C
JC
Eijkemans
Marinus J C
MJ
Lindemans
Jan
J
Laven
Joop S E
JS
Macklon
Nick S
NS
Steegers
Eric A P
EA
Steegers-Theunissen
Regine P M
RP
D000328:Adult; D004249:DNA Damage; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
D005492:Folic Acid