World J Mens Health.  2019 Sep;37(3):347-354. 10.5534/wjmh.180110.

Male Inflammatory Parameters Are not Useful to Predict the Outcomes of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

• Cito G
• Coccia ME
• Picone R
• Cocci A
• Russo GI
• Cai T
• Bencini G
• Fucci R
• Micelli E
• Criscuoli
• Bertocci F
• Borrani E
• Serni S
• Carini M
• Natali A

• KMID: 2455411
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.180110

Abstract

PURPOSE
The relationship between male systemic inflammation and fertility seems intriguing, but no data about its impact on the assisted reproductive technology outcomes has been reported. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of male systemic inflammatory parameters in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes prediction, in couples undergoing an ovum donation program.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 2016 to December 2017, one hundred-ten couples were considered for this cross-sectional study. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-eosinophil ratio (MER), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), seminal parameters, fertilization rate (FR), cleavage rate (CR), pregnancy rate (PR) were evaluated. Male patients were divided into Group A with FR ≤70%, Group B with FR >70%.
RESULTS
Overall, FR was 74.5%, CR 90.9%, PR 41.8%. Group A included 43 patients, Group B 67 men. Group A showed a median NLR of 1.55, PLR of 106.09, MER of 2.33. Group B reported a median NLR of 1.64, PLR 109.0, MER 2.76. We found no statistically differences between two groups with respect to NLR, PLR, MER (p=0.90, p=0.70, p=0.96, respectively). The age-adjusted linear regression analysis demonstrated only a relationship between NLR and sperm motility count (r=−0.02; p<0.05). Using the univariate logistic regression analysis, we found no significant associations.
CONCLUSIONS
We did not find any relationship between ICSI outcomes and male inflammation parameters.

Keyword

Assisted reproductive techniques; Fertilization; Infertility; Inflammation; Semen analysis; Sperm injections, intracytoplasmic

MeSH Terms

Cross-Sectional Studies*
Family Characteristics
Fertility
Fertilization
Humans
Infertility
Inflammation
Linear Models
Logistic Models
Male*
Oocyte Donation
Pregnancy Rate
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
Semen Analysis
Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic*
Sperm Motility

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Distribution of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the two groups. Group A: fertilization rate ≤70%, Group B: fertilization rate >70%.

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  Fig. 2 Distribution of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in the two groups. Group A: fertilization rate ≤70%, Group B: fertilization rate >70%.

• 

  Fig. 3 Distribution of monocyte-to-eosinophil ratio (MER) in the two groups. Group A: fertilization rate ≤70%, Group B: fertilization rate >70%.

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