title: NT-proCNP as a new indicator of asthenozoospermia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a proinflammatory peptide. The highest concentration of CNP is found in male reproductive organs. This study aims to analyze the role of N-terminal C-type natriuretic propeptide (NT-proCNP) as a new indicator of asthenozoospermia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen was collected after 3-5 days of sexual abstinence from 86 men. The participants were between 25 and 38 years old, 51 of which had asthenozoospermia and 35 of which had normal sperm motility. Semen was analyzed for the concentrations of NT-proCNP, spermatozoa, percentages of live sperm, and sperm exhibiting a specific type of movement. The laboratory tests and analyses were performed using accepted methods and under appropriate conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant difference in the concentration and motility of spermatozoa was observed between the focus and control groups. The concentration of spermatozoa in the focus group was significantly lower than in the control group (median: 38.5 vs. 69.8mln/ml [p=0.016] respectively). The progressive motility of spermatozoa demonstrated a significantly lower performance in the focus group than in the control group (median: 10.4% vs. 45% respectively). The concentration of NT-proCNP was significantly higher in the focus group (median: 29.1 vs. 17.9pmol/l; p<0.001). The Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve for the concentration of NT-proCNP - as an indicator of asthenozoospermia - was 0.733. Participants with a concentration of NT-proCNP higher than 28.8pmol/l had asthenozoospermia with 52.9% sensitivity and 94.3% specificity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NT-proCNP - an indicator of inflammatory reaction - should be evaluated as an indicator of asthenozoospermia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Mazovian Bródno Hospital in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tomasiuk
authors.affiliation: European Centre of Motherhood - InviMed Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Faundez
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Mazovian Bródno Hospital in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: cacko.marek@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cacko
authors.affiliation: I Clinic of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mikaszewska-Sokolewicz
authors.affiliation: I Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Medical Informatics and Telemedicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cacko
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rabijewski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013081:Sperm Motility
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type
keywords: Asthenozoospermia; C-type natriuretic peptide; Indicator of inflammation; Sperm motility