DNA content of spermatozoa with respect to seminal sperm concentration using a microchemical spectrophotometric method

ABSTRACT

To determine the DNA content in subfertile patients and to correlate it with seminal sperm concentration. Prospective observational study. College of Medicine, Dept. of Physiological chemistry and Institute for embryo Research and infertility treatment-University of Baghdad. The study was conducted through years 2004-2005. A random sample of 61 subfertile male patients undergoing semen evaluation and aged from 20-45 years were studied. Semen samples were assessed for seminal sperm concentration microscopically and were classified into 3 different groups according to count [million/ml].Then sperm DNA content [micro g/ml] was estimated using a microchemical Spectrophotometric method. The three groups were statistically of significant difference [P <0.01].The D N A concentration per spermatozoan in Gr.III [120 million/ml] was higher than the other two groups It was also noticed that there was a statistically significant [P< 0.05] correlation in Gr.III between DNA content and sperm concentration. No significant [P >0.05]correlation was observed in the other two groups [Gr. I and Gr. II]. Significant positive correlation was obtained between sperm concentration and DNA content, in the oligozoospermic subfertile patient, but no significant correlation was found in the normozoopermic patients. DNA content per spermatozoan from oligozoospermic patients was higher than that in normozoospermic patients