Assessment of sperm factors possibly involved in early recurrent pregnancy loss.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare standard sperm parameters, lipid peroxidation of sperm plasma membranes, antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma, and sperm chromatin integrity in ejaculates from men whose partners have a history of recurrent pregnancy loss and from a control group of men with recent fertility.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Reproduction Program, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.


METHODS
Twenty-three couples with history of recurrent pregnancy loss and 11 men with recent fertility.


METHODS
Semen samples from control men and men whose partner had a history of recurrent pregnancy loss were examined for differences in semen parameters, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacity, DNA fragmentation index, and sperm preparation.


METHODS
Migration-sedimentation method was used to collect motile spermatozoa from fresh ejaculates for examination for semen parameters.


RESULTS
Men from the control group had spermatozoa with higher percentage of normal sperm morphology, concentration, progressive motility, and antioxidant capacity compared with men from the recurrent pregnancy loss group, who had spermatozoa with higher teratozoospermia and higher lipid peroxidation. Motile sperm fractions from both groups had spermatozoa with better sperm parameters compared with freshly ejaculated sperm.


CONCLUSIONS
This study strengthens the current literature associating sperm quality with recurrent pregnancy loss, and emphasizes the importance of evaluating male factor by tests such as lipid peroxidation and measuring antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma in addition to conventional sperm parameters.
Gil-Villa
Aura María
AM
Reproduction Group, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. Electronic address: aura_gi1@yahoo.com.
Cardona-Maya
Wálter
W
Reproduction Group, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Agarwal
Ashok
A
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, and Obstetrics-Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
Sharma
Rakesh
R
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, and Obstetrics-Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
Cadavid
Ángela
Á
Reproduction Group, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D020964:Embryo Loss / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000502:physiology; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D017584:Reproductive History; D012307:Risk Factors; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult