title: Low folate in seminal plasma is associated with increased sperm DNA damage.
abstract: 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.
authors: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Jolanda C
authors: JC
authors: Boxmeer
authors: Marij
authors: M
authors: Smit
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Utomo
authors: Johannes C
authors: JC
authors: Romijn
authors: Marinus J C
authors: MJ
authors: Eijkemans
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Lindemans
authors: Joop S E
authors: JS
authors: Laven
authors: Nick S
authors: NS
authors: Macklon
authors: Eric A P
authors: EA
authors: Steegers
authors: Regine P M
authors: RP
authors: Steegers-Theunissen
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D005492:Folic Acid