不育症患者精浆IL-1β、IL-4、IL-10含量测定及临床意义

目的 :观察男性不育症患者精浆中白细胞介素 1β(IL 1β)、白细胞介素 4 (IL 4 )、白细胞介素 10 (IL 10 )含量 ,及其与精子的各项功能指标之间的相互关系。　方法 :应用放射免疫分析 (RIA)技术 ,对 12 6例男性不育症和 2 0例正常生育者精浆中IL 1β、IL 4、IL 10含量进行检测。根据精子密度将不育症患者分为A组 (精子密度≥ 2 0× 10 6/ml)、B组 (精子密度 <2 0× 10 6/ml)和C组 (无精子症者 ) 3组 ;根据精子活动力、活动率将A组分别分为精子活动力正常组和不良组 ,精子活动率正常组和下降组 ;根据不育症患者血清抗精子抗体 (AsAb)检测结果、精液中WBC多少分为AsAb阳性组和阴性组 ,WBC精液组和非WBC精液组。根据生育组检测结果 ,将不育A组和B组分为精子穿透力正常组和下降组 ,精子顶体完整率正常组和下降组 ,精子尾部肿胀率正常组和下降组。　结果 :不育症组精浆IL 1β含量显著高于生育组 (P <0 .0 1) ,IL 4、IL 10含量显著低于生育组 (P <0 .0 1)。不育症组精浆中IL 1β、IL 4、IL 10含量在WBC精液组与非WBC精液组、血清AsAb阳性组与阴性组之间差异均有显著性 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ;IL 4含量在不育症组精子活动力、活动率、精子穿透力、顶体完整率、尾部肿胀率正常与减少之间差异均有显著性 (P <0     

精浆抗弓形虫抗体对精液参数的影响

目的 :分析精浆弓形虫抗体 (ATAb)与精液有关参数之间的关系。　方法 :184例男性不育病人根据精浆ATAb检测结果分为阳性组 ( 4 8例 )和阴性组 ( 13 6例 ) ,分别进行精液常规、精浆酸性磷酸酶 (ACP)、精浆α 葡萄糖苷酶 (α Glu)、精浆果糖 (Fru)、精浆免疫抑制物 (SPIM )和抗精子抗体 (AsAb)检测。　结果 :ATAb阳性组的精浆ACP、SPIM和AsAb与阴性组相比 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;其他指标差异均没有显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。　结论 :精浆弓形虫感染致男性不育机制可能是引起精浆ACP、精浆SPIM显著性降低和AsAb的产生等多种因素造成的。     

精浆弹性硬蛋白酶与精子 DNA 完整性及精液参数的影响分析

目的：探讨男性不育患者精浆弹性硬蛋白酶水平与精子 DNA完整性及精液质量之间的关系。方法选择148例男性不育患者根据精浆弹性硬蛋白酶的检测结果将所有患者分为 A、B、C3组。 A组为精浆弹性硬蛋白酶含量＜290 ng／mL;B组为精浆弹性硬蛋白酶含量290～1000 ng／mL;C 组为精浆弹性硬蛋白酶含量＞1000ng／mL。用酶联免疫吸附试验（ ELISA）检测精浆中弹性硬蛋白酶,精子 DNA完整性检测用精子染色质扩散法（ SCD）,精液参数用计算机辅助精子分析系统检测。结果 A组与 C 组相比精子存活率与前向运动精子百分率（PR）均升高、精子DNA碎片指数（DFI）明显降低,差异均具有统计学意义（ P＜0．05）。 B组的上述指标与A组相比,差异均无统计学意义（ P ＞0．05）。结论精浆弹性硬蛋白酶与精子DNA完整性及精液质量密切相关,生殖道感染是影响男性精液质量的一个重要原因。     

精浆弹性硬蛋白酶与精液主要参数及精子功能相关性分析

目的 探讨精浆弹性硬蛋白酶与精液主要参数及精子功能指标的关系.方法 按照WHO<人类精液及精子-宫颈粘液相互作用实验室检验手册>要求,对170例不孕夫妇中的男性患者进行精液常规检测及精子功能分析,根据精浆弹性硬蛋白酶的检测结果将所有患者分为A、B、C3组.A组为精浆弹性硬蛋白酶含量＞1 000ng/ml;B组为精浆弹性硬蛋白酶含量290～1 000 ng/ml;C组为精浆弹性硬蛋白酶含量＜290ng/ml.通过比较三组的精液主要参数及精子功能指标来分析精浆弹性硬蛋白酶与男性不育各因素的相关性.结果 170例患者中A组56例(32.9%)、B组38例(22.4%)、C组76例(44.7%).与C组相比A组在精子活率、活力、头部畸形、顶体酶活性指标方面均显著低下(P＜0.01),而B组与C组相比上述指标差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),各组间精子密度及DNA完整性的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 精浆弹性硬蛋白酶与精液质量密切相关,精浆弹性硬蛋白酶作为男性生殖道感染的指标,在评估男性生育力、男性不育症的诊断和治疗,以及精子功能等方面有着重要的临床意义.     

肥胖男性精浆锌-α2糖蛋白与精液质量的相关性

目的:探讨肥胖男性精浆锌-α2糖蛋白(ZAG)与精液质量的关系。方法:130例在生殖中心就诊的男性特发性不育患者为研究对象,采用ELISA方法检测精浆ZAG蛋白含量,比较不同精浆ZAG水平下精液质量情况,分析ZAG、精浆锌与精液质量的相关性以及肥胖对精浆锌、ZAG和精液质量的影响。结果:130例研究对象精浆ZAG含量为(111.29±26.50)μg/ml,以精浆ZAG进行三分位分组,3组间精子浓度和精子总数差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。相关性分析发现,精浆ZAG与体质指数(BMI)、腰围(WC)、精子浓度和精子总数呈显著负相关(P0.01);精浆锌与BMI、腰围呈正相关(P0.05),与精液量和精子前向运动百分率呈负相关(P0.05),而血清ZAG与精浆锌、ZAG和精液质量无相关性。以WC和BMI分组发现,肥胖男性精浆ZAG和精子前向运动百分率显著降低,精浆锌含量显著增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:肥胖可能引起精浆中锌和ZAG代谢紊乱,精浆微环境发生改变从而影响精液质量。     

不育病人精浆胆固醇酯转运蛋白的检测

目的 :检测不育病人精浆胆固醇酯转运蛋白 (cholesterolestertransferprotein ,CETP)的含量 ,并探讨其与不育的关系。　方法 :随机选择 163例不育病人及 15例生育男性 ,行精液常规分析及精浆CETP浓度测定 ,其中5 5例不育病人同时测定了血清CETP含量。　结果 :不育病人及生育男性精浆CETP含量分别为 ( 2 .2 1± 1.2 3 )μg/L和 ( 1.40± 0 .45 ) μg/L ,两组间差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;在不育病人中 ,无精子症组 (n =2 9)、少弱精子症组(n =5 8)、少精子症组 (n =15 )、弱精子症组 (n =44 )及正常精子症组 (n =17)间CETP含量差异也无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。精浆平均CETP含量仅占血清的 1/ 10 0 0 ,不育病人精浆及其血清CETP含量间并无相关性 (r =0 .0 0 9,P>0 .0 5 )。　结论 :精浆CETP含量极低 ,与精子密度、活率的改变无关 ,可能保证了精子在未进入女性生殖道前膜结构与功能的完整性     

Ⅲ型前列腺炎患者精液参数、锌浓度及抗菌活性的变化

目的:探讨Ⅲ型前列腺炎(CP/CPPS)患者精液常规参数、锌浓度及抗菌活性的关系。方法:对60例CP/CPPS患者和20例健康男性进行精液常规参数、锌浓度及抗菌活性的检测。结果:CP/CPPS患者精液液化时间、精子活力、精浆抗菌活性及精浆锌离子浓度与对照组相比,差异有显著性(P均<0.01)。CP/CPPS患者精子活力与精浆锌离子浓度间有显著相关性(r=0.272,P=0.015)。精浆抗菌活性与精浆锌离子浓度间有显著相关性(r=0.449,P<0.01)。结论:CP/CPPS患者精液液化时间延长,精子活力下降,精浆锌浓度和抗菌活性降低。精浆抗菌活性与精浆锌浓度、精子活力间有显著相关性。     

男性不育病人精液中磷脂酶A2的测定及其临床意义

目的 :探讨人精液中磷脂酶A2 (PLA2 )含量测定在男性不育症中的临床意义。　方法 :以自制的 2株PLA2单克隆抗体建立酶联免疫吸附试验 (ELISA)、免疫细胞化学法 (ICC)和流式细胞术 (FCM)等 3种方法 ,分别检测男性不育病人精浆及精子头部PLA2的含量 ,并与生育组进行比较。精液常规分析采用计算机辅助精液分析系统 (CASA)进行。　结果 :男性不育病人精浆中PLA2含量分别为 :无精子症组 (31.13± 14 .4 9)ng ml,少精子症组 (17.71±12 .4 5 )ng ml,精子数目正常组 (16 .4 6± 11.31)ng ml;与生育组 [(8.0 9± 3.15 )ng ml]相比差异均有极显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ;精浆中PLA2含量与精子密度呈显著负相关 (r=- 0 .6 0 2 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ,而与精子活动力及活率无显著相关性 (r=0 .2 6 6和r=- 0 .2 0 0 ,P均 >0 .0 5 ) ;ICC和FCM试验均提示 ,生育组精子头部PLA2含量显著高于各不育组病人 ,且FCM试验显示差异有极显著性 (P <0 .0 1)。　结论 :精浆中PLA2与男性生育密切相关 ,精子头部PLA2含量缺乏可能是引起男性不育的病因之一。精液中PLA2含量测定方法的建立可为探讨男性不育的发病机制提供有力的依据。     

无症状不育病人精液抗沙眼衣原体IgG、IgM类别抗体的检测

目的 :探讨无症状不育病人精液抗沙眼衣原体 (Chlamydiatrachomatis,CT) IgG、 IgM抗体检测的临床意义。　方法 :随机选择 116例无生殖道感染症状的不育病人及 18例生育男性 ,作精液常规参数分析 ,然后分离精浆 ,测定其抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体。 　结果 :①不育病人精浆抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体阳性率分别为13 .8% ( 16/ 116)和3 .4% ( 4/ 116) ,而生育男性分别为 11.1% ( 2 / 18)和 0 ,两组相比差异均无显著性 (P均 >0 .0 5 )。② 116例不育病人中有 2 2例为无精子症。其余 94例病人中 ,精子密度异常组的精浆抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体阳性率分别为2 1.4% ( 6/2 8)和 7.1% ( 2 / 2 8) ,精子密度正常组则较低 ,分别为 12 .1% ( 8/ 66)和 3 .0 % ( 2 / 66) ,但差异均无显著性 (P均 >0 .0 5 ) ;精子活率正常组和异常组之间的精浆抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体阳性率也无明显差异 (P均 >0 .0 5 )。③ 116例不育病人中 3 0例CT阳性 ( 2 5 .9% )。　结论 :无症状不育病人的精浆抗CT IgG、 IgM抗体阳性率与生育男性相似 ,与其精液参数改变无关 ,不能作为CT感染的辅助指标     

男性不育患者精浆尿酸的检测及临床意义初探

目的 :检测男性不育患者精浆尿酸的含量 ,并探讨其与不育的关系。　方法 :2 0 0 3年 2～ 8月就诊的男性不育患者 1 6 3例 ,分为 4组 :梗阻性无精子症组 ,1 5例 ;非梗阻性无精子症组 ,36例 ;少精子症组 ,4 3例 ;弱精子症组 ,6 9例。 2 0例正常生育男性为正常对照组。上述各组均作精液参数分析及精浆尿酸含量的测定。　结果 :正常对照组精浆尿酸含量为 (396 .9± 5 3.1 ) μmol/L ,显著高于梗阻性无精子症组 [(79.5± 1 8.1 ) μmol/L]、非梗阻性无精子症组[(2 4 5 .8± 76 .5 ) μmol/L]、少精子症组 [(2 6 2 .2± 79.2 ) μmol/L]和弱精子症组 [(2 5 1 .4± 75 .4 ) μmol/L](P均 <0 .0 1 )。其中 ,梗阻性无精子症组精浆尿酸含量又显著低于其他各不育症组 (P均 <0 .0 1 ) ,其余各不育症组间精浆尿酸含量差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。　结论 :精浆中尿酸作为生殖系统中的一种重要抗氧化物 ,可能在男性生殖中具有一定意义。     

Efficacy of varicocele embolization versus ligation of the left internal spermatic vein for improvement of sperm quality

Efficacy of surgical varicocelectomy versus embolization of the spermatic vein was studied in 137 men diagnosed as suffering from left varicocele. The men were divided randomly into three groups according to the methods of treatment: A--embolization of the internal spermatic vein (51 men); B--Ivanissevich technique of high ligation of the spermatic veins (43 men); and C--Bernardi technique of high ligation (43 men). The groups were similar in terms of age, duration of infertility and possessed semen characterized as oligoteratoasthenozoospermia. The fertility of the female partners was evaluated carefully and they were found to be potentially fertile. Varicocele was diagnosed by at least two of the following methods: physical palpation during valsalva manoeuvre, venography, or scrotal scanning using the technetium pertechnetate radioactive method. Semen quality was assessed before treatment and at 3, 6 and 9 months post-treatment. Fecundity was followed-up for 18 months. The major results were: (i) Shrinkage of the varicocele was found in all three groups studied. The same rate of recurrence was recorded in the three groups (24%, 37% and 35% in groups A, B and C, respectively). (ii) Improvement of sperm quality was significant in groups A and B, with better results in group B. (iii) The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group B, compared with A (38.2% vs. 20.6%; P less than 0.05). Thus, high ligation of the internal spermatic vein yields better results than low ligation or embolization as far as semen quality and pregnancy is concerned.     

The micronutrient supplements,zinc sulphate and folic acid,did not ameliorate sperm functional parameters in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men

We investigated the effects of folic acid and zinc sulphate supplementation on the improvement of sperm function in subfertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men. Eighty‐three OAT men participated in a 16‐week intervention randomised, double‐blind clinical trial with daily treatment of folic acid (5 mg day^?1) and zinc sulphate (220 mg day^?1), or placebo. Before and after treatment, semen and blood samples were obtained for determining sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, sperm viability, sperm mitochondrial function, sperm chromatin status using toluidine blue, aniline blue, acridine orange and chromomycin A₃ staining; and semen and blood folate, zinc, B₁₂, total antioxidant capacity ( TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Sperm concentration (×10⁶ ml^?1) increased in subfertile men receiving the combined treatment of folic acid and zinc sulphate and also in the group receiving only folic acid treatment; however, it was not statistically significant (P = 0.056 and P = 0.05, respectively). Sperm chromatin integrity (%) increased significantly in subfertile men receiving only zinc sulphate treatment (P = 0.048). However, this improvement in sperm quality was not significant after adjusting placebo effect. This study showed that zinc sulphate and folic acid supplementation did not ameliorate sperm quality in infertile men with severely compromised sperm parameters, OAT. Male infertility is a multifactorial disorder, and also nutritional factors play an important role in results of administration of supplementation on sperm parameters. However, these results should be confirmed by multiple studies in larger populations of OAT men.     

精液粘度与精液分析参数、解脲支原体感染和抗精子抗体关系分析

目的探讨精液粘度增高导致男性不育的机理。方法共4337例不育门诊就诊者,分为精液粘度增高和正常组,观察粘度与主要精液常规参数、UU感染率和AsAb阳性率关系。结果精液粘度增高率为65.02%。粘度增高组精子活动率、a,b级活力精子率显著低于粘度正常组(P<0.05,P<0.001);畸形精子率、液化时间均明显高于粘度正常组(P<0.001);两组精液量、精子密度和精液pH比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。精液白细胞>5个/HP组粘度增高率明显高于白细胞<5个/HP组(P<0.001)。粘度增高组精浆AsAb阳性率和精液UU阳性率均明显高于粘度正常组(P<0.001)。结论精液粘度可影响精液参数,并与精液白细胞数、精浆AsAb和UU感染有关。     

Comparison of zinc concentrations in blood and seminal plasma and the various sperm parameters between fertile and infertile men

The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between concentrations of zinc in blood and seminal plasma and sperm quality among infertile and fertile men. One hundred seven male (infertile group) partners of couples who were undergoing investigation for infertility with no known cause for the infertility and 103 men (fertile group) whose wives were pregnant at the time of the study were recruited. The subjects' blood and seminal plasma concentration of zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Except for semen volume, all the other semen parameters for the infertile men were significantly lower than those for the fertile group. The geometric means of the seminal plasma zinc concentration were significantly lower in the infertile group compared with those in the fertile group; 183.6 mg/L (range, 63-499) versus 274.6 mg/L (range, 55-420). There were no significant differences in the geometric means of the blood zinc concentration between the 2 groups. Seminal plasma zinc concentration was significantly correlated with sperm density (r = 0.341, P < .0001), motility (r = 0.253, P < .0001), and viability (r = 0.286, P < .0001). On the basis of the findings of this study and those of other reports, zinc may contribute to fertility through its positive effect on spermatogenesis.     

Sperm chromatin integrity in young men with no experiences of infertility and men from idiopathic infertility couples

Damage to the genetic component of spermatozoa seems to play the main role in a majority of cases where current approaches fail to reveal the specific cause of male infertility. In this study, we compared semen quality in men assigned to two defined groups: men from couples with unexplained infertility – idiopathic infertility (A) and young men with no experiences of infertility (B). All samples were examined by standard ejaculate analysis and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Sperm chromatin damage was significantly higher in men from group A than in those from group B. Similar results were obtained by comparison of men from group A (all men were normozoospermic) with normozoospermic men from group B. According to these results, we can suppose that chromatin disorders may be the causal factor of subfertility or infertility in some of these men. No evidence for a strong association between chromatin disorders and standard parameters of ejaculates was found. We failed to confirm a relationship between smoking and sperm quality in men from any of the investigated groups. SCSA is a method that facilitates the identification of infertile men who otherwise show normal semen variables.     

乙肝病毒携带者不育男性精液质量分析

目的:分析携带乙肝病毒(HBV)的不育男性的精液质量,探讨HBV感染对男性精液质量的影响。方法:选择2018年门诊初诊的782例不育男性,年龄25~35岁,根据HBV感染情况分为小三阳组(血清学检查乙肝表面抗原、e抗体、核心抗体阳性,n=286)和大三阳组(血清学检查乙肝表面抗原、e抗原、核心抗体阳性,n=230),以未感染者作为对照组(n=266),对上述3组进行精液常规、精子顶体酶活性及精子染色质结构分析,比较3组结果是否有差异。结果:①小三阳组精子浓度[(71.49±60.03)×10^6/ml]、前向运动精子百分率[(30.70±14.79)%]、精子活率[(42.67±17.23)%]、精子存活率[(81.07±10.19)%]、正常形态精子百分率[(5.72±3.47)%]均低于大三阳组[(88.20±82.62)×10^6/ml、(34.88±15.60)%、(45.77±16.58)%、(82.55±7.55)%、(6.93±4.45)%]和对照组[(89.29±53.80)×10^6/ml、(37.82±13.63)%、(48.16±14.03)%、(85.26±6.39)%、(7.27±4.43)%],除精子存活率以外差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);大三阳组精子浓度、前向运动精子百分率、精子活率、精子存活率、正常形态精子百分率均低于对照组,其中前向运动精子百分率、精子存活率的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);②小三阳组的精子顶体酶活性[(57.07±26.38)μIU/10^6精子]显著低于大三阳组[(63.03±28.75)μIU/10^6精子,P<0.05]和对照组[(78.00±33.49)μIU/10^6精子,P<0.01];大三阳组的精子顶体酶活性显著低于对照组(P<0.01);③小三阳组精子DNA碎片指数[DFI,(14.79±9.46)%]和高可染性[HDS,(9.62±6.20)%]均高于大三阳组[(12.95±7.29)%、(8.43±4.72)%]和对照组[(11.60±5.98)%、(8.41±4.59)%],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);大三阳组的DFI和HDS均高于对照组,仅DFI的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:HBV携带者的男性精液质量显著低于未感染者,HBV感染可能是引起男性生育力降低的原因之一。     

精液不同体外处理技术对宫腔内人工授精的临床疗效分析

目的　探讨精液的不同体外处理技术对宫腔内人工授精 (IUI)的疗效。　方法　A组为因女方因素引起的不育 ,采用上游法优选精子。B组为因男性性交和射精障碍 ,精液液化不良 ,免疫学异常 ,精液中有核细胞数目 >5× 10 9/L ,单纯精浆异常等引起的不育 ,采用高速离心法处理精子。C组为少、弱、畸精子症等引起的不育 ,采用双层梯度法处理精子。　结果　妊娠成功率A组 5 0 .5 % ,B组为 4 1.4 % ,C组为 32 .4 %。　结论　对不同的病因采用不同的精液体外处理技术 ,能提高IUI的成功率。     

Effect of subinguinal varicocelectomy on sperm parameters and pregnancy rate: a two-group study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in semen parameters and pregnancy rates after varicocelectomy. METHODS: We evaluated the results of surgery in 146 men with primary infertility and palpable left varicoceles, compared with 62 men who refused surgery and were treated with tamoxiphene. Patients were selected with strict criteria in order to exclude any other infertility factor in the couple. They were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment. Statistical analyses were performed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kolmogov-Smirnof two-sample test and paired samples t test. RESULTS: After 1 year, the differences in the median values were significant for all parameters. The partners of 62 of the operated men (46.6%) and 8 of the nonoperated (12.9%) became pregnant within 1 year (p<0.001). Thus, the difference between the true 1-year pregnancy rates was 33.7%. Overall, 83.2% of the operated men improved their semen parameters compared to 32.3% of the nonoperated. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocelectomy improves all semen parameters and pregnancy rates significantly. Palpable varicoceles should be operated upon when found in infertile couples.     

Association of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infection with male infertility and the effect of antibiotic therapy in improvement of semen quality in infected infertile men

The role of asymptomatic infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in male infertility and the efficacy of antibiotics in the treatment of this condition are not yet definitely determined. A total of 165 infertile males having abnormal semen parameters (study group) as well as 165 healthy fertile men (control group) were included. Semen samples were taken from all participants and after analysing for semen parameters, undergone real‐time PCR, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays. Infected individuals of study group were treated with antibiotic. One month after the treatment completion, second semen samples were taken and undergone all the tests mentioned. The frequency of C. trachomatis was significantly higher in the infertile men compared with the fertile ones (4.2% vs 0.6%). Most of the semen parameters were improved and reached their normal range, the level of TAC elevated and ROS level as well as ROS/TAC ratio reduced after antibiotic treatment. Moreover, wives of three infected infertile men (42.9%) became pregnant 4 months after the treatment completion. Our data suggest that asymptomatic infection caused by C. trachomatis is correlated with male infertility and antibiotic therapy can improve the semen quality and fairly treat the male infertility.     

Seminal plasma albumin: origin and relation to the male reproductive parameters

We wanted to investigate the origin of seminal plasma albumin and its relation to the male reproductive parameters. Semen samples from 916 men, under infertility assessment, were analysed according to guidelines of the World Health Organization. Seminal plasma constituents, i.e. albumin, markers of the epididymal (neutral alpha-glucosidase, NAG), prostatic (prostate-specific antigen, PSA, and zinc) and seminal vesicle function (fructose), as well as levels of reproductive hormones in plasma were measured. The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) was applied on 267 of the 916 samples. A negative correlation was seen for seminal albumin and plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (r=-0.1, P=0.02) and a positive correlation for seminal albumin and serum inhibin B (r=0.2, P=0.004). Albumin exhibited positive correlations with the epididymal marker, NAG (r=0.5, P<0.001) and with the prostatic markers, PSA and zinc (r=0.1, P=0.001; r=0.2, P<0.001 respectively) as well as with age (r=0.2, P<0.001). A negative significant association was seen for seminal albumin and semen volume (beta=-0.60; 95% CI -0.80 to -0.30). The opposite trend was found regarding sperm concentration (beta=0.34; 95% CI 0.30-0.40), total sperm count (beta=0.30; 95% CI 0.20-0.40), and percentage morphologically normal spermatozoa (beta=0.70; 95% CI 0.10-1.0). No association was found between albumin and sperm motility, SCSA parameters, or fructose, the marker of seminal vesicles. Our results suggest testicular, epididymal and prostatic origin of seminal plasma albumin, in addition to the contribution from blood. This is the first study to demonstrate an association between seminal plasma albumin and sperm morphology. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of seminal albumin in sperm morphology.