title: Discrimination of human semen specimens by NMR data, sperm parameters, and statistical analysis.
abstract: Human seminal fluid is a complex mixture of secretions originated from epididymis and the male accessory sex glands. It contains a variety of both inorganic and organic components, among which proteins are a major part of the high molecular-mass substances. In this study, 83 human seminal plasma samples were analyzed using a combined Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) approach to discriminate patients in relation to semen characteristics and/or conditions affecting the fertility status. Results showed a discrimination between patients with leukocytospermia and with the concomitant presence of varicocele/ex varicocele and leukocytospermia. Patients with testicular cancer, necrozoospermia, and azoospermia were separated from the other patient clusters. In addition, a differentiation of semen quality was also possible. This study represents to first use of sperm parameters together with NMR data as variables in the PCA analysis. Furthermore, this methodology allows the identification of the metabolites which play the most important role in identifying differences among human seminal plasma samples.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biotechnology , Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro , Siena , Italy .|b Centre for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Florence , Florence , Italy , and.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonechi
authors.affiliation: c Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine , Policlinico Universitario Santa Maria alle Scotte , Siena , Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Collodel
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biotechnology , Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro , Siena , Italy .|b Centre for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Florence , Florence , Italy , and.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biotechnology , Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro , Siena , Italy .|b Centre for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Florence , Florence , Italy , and.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: c Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine , Policlinico Universitario Santa Maria alle Scotte , Siena , Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biotechnology , Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena , Via Aldo Moro , Siena , Italy .|b Centre for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Florence , Florence , Italy , and.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Human sperm parameters; NMR; PCA; leukocytospermia