Elsevier

Fertility and Sterility

Volume 90, Issue 5, November 2008, Pages 1854-1858
Fertility and Sterility

Recurrent pregnancy loss
Is abnormal sperm function an indicator among couples with recurrent pregnancy loss?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.09.031Get rights and content
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Objective

To determine whether or not sperm function parameters are altered in male partners of couples with a history of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Design

In comparison with proven fertile volunteers, sperm function parameters like hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS), acrosomal status (AS), and nuclear chromatin decondensation (NCD) were assessed in vitro from male partners of couples with a history of idiopathic RPL.

Setting

Infertility clinic and andrology laboratory at National Institute of Health and Family Welfare.

Patient(s)

Male partners of couples with a history of idiopathic RPL and proven fertile male volunteers (control).

Intervention(s)

Standard semen analysis, assessment of sperm morphology, and sperm function with tests such as HOS, AS, and NCD.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Sperm paameters, such as HOS, AS, and NCD, were assessed in semen samples from RPL in comparison with the proven fertile control group.

Result(s)

Semen samples from the idiopathic RPL group showed below normal test scores in 57.1% of the cases for all three sperm parameters. The highest aberration (83% of cases) in sperm attributes was observed in NCD, followed by AS (45.7%) and HOS (42.9%). In contrast, abnormality in sperm morphology was limited to 5.7% of the cases. Subnormal sperm function is directly proportional with subnormal sperm motility (<50%) in 23% of the cases. Even in semen samples with normal sperm motility, sperm function scores were below normal in 31.4% of the RPL group.

Conclusion(s)

Reduction in test scores of sperm function, like HOS, AS, and NCD, in male partners of couples with idiopathic RPL suggests that sperms with altered or lowered functional competencies, if they fertilize the oocytes, may lead to the development of an unsustainable embryo resulting in early pregnancy loss. Normal sperm motility does not always ensure normal sperm function scores.

Key Words

Recurrent pregnancy loss
sperm function
hypo-osmotic swelling
acrosome status
nuclear chromatin decondensation

Cited by (0)

Supported by National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Baba Gang Nath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi-110067, India.

Presented at the 50th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Salt Lake Stadium, Kokata, India, January 5–9, 2007.