Volume 20, Issue 4 (April 2022)                   IJRM 2022, 20(4): 299-306 | Back to browse issues page


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Baranizadeh K, Bahmanzadeh M, Tavilani H, Ghiasvand T, Amiri I, Yavangi M et al . Evaluation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and S-adenosyl-methionine level in male infertility: A case-control study. IJRM 2022; 20 (4) :299-306
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-2185-en.html
1- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medicine School, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
2- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Endometrium and Endometriosis Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
3- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Endometrium and Endometriosis Research Center, Fatemieh Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
4- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medicine School, Nutrition Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. , g.r_shafiee@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (1371 Views)
Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) plays a key role in regulating folate balance, converting homocysteine to methionine, and producing s-adenosylmethionine (SAM) that plays a role in the methylation process.
Objective: This study aimed to determine MTHFR activity and SAM level in men with normozoospermia and oligozoospermia.
Materials and Methods: 30 oligozoospermic and 30 normozoospermic men as controls were enrolled in this case-control study. Semen analysis was conducted according to the world health organization criteria. All semen samples were collected after 3-5 days of sexual abstinence. The sperms were evaluated by sperm test video software. All subjects SAM level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and MTHFR were measured manually.
Results: 2 groups had a significant difference in sperm morphology (p = 0.02), concentration (p = 0.02) and motility (p = 0.03). The MTHFR activity in normozoospermic and oligozoospermic groups had significantly differences (p = 0.01). The level of SAM in the semen of oligozoospermic men was statistically lower than normozoospermic men (p = 0.03). Also, there was a positive association between MTHFR enzyme activity and SAM level in the normozoospermia group (p = 0.02, β = 0.67) and oligozoospermia group (p = 0.03, β = 0.54).
Conclusion: MTHFR activity and SAM concentration were statistically lower in oligozoospermia men. It seems they can affect sperm concentration, morphology, and motility.
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Type of Study: Original Article | Subject: Fertility & Infertility

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