Correlation of Seminal Steroid Levels with Impaired Sperm Acrosomal Enzyme Activity in Semen of Unexplained Infertility Cases

Alteration in seminal steroid levels is known to induce changes in functional status of sperm, a major cause of unexplained infertility world wide. The present study was carried out on a specific group of fifty males with mean age range 36.5 years, referred with unexplained infertility and poor sperm in vitro fertilizing ability of Ahmedabad region. The study revealed that there was a significant decrease in sperm count and viability in this group as compared to control. The hypo-osmotic swelling test suggested altered membrane permeability. Spermatozoa from the infertile samples showed fewer halos in the gelatin slide test. The activities of acrosomal enzymes indicates prematurely reacted spermatozoa that led to loss of membrane integrity and breakdown of sperm acrosome, resulting in impaired sperm function and fertilizing ability. The results of altered acrosomal activity confirmed low androgen levels further indicating decreased levels of testosterone and elevated levels of estradiol resulting in an imbalance of T/E2 ratio. These findings suggest that the functional status of sperm depends upon testosterone levels.