Sperm and leukocyte telomere length are related to sperm quality parameters in healthy men from the Led-Fertyl study

Identifier:  imarina:9390009

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9390009

Authors:  de la Puente, Maria Fernandez; Valle-Hita, Cristina; Salas-Huetos, Albert; Martinez, Maria Angeles; Sanchez-Resino, Elena; Canudas, Silvia; Torres-Oteros, Daniel; Relat, Joana; Babio, Nancy; Salas-Salvado, Jordi

Abstract:
STUDY QUESTION: Could sperm and leukocyte telomere length (TL) be associated with sperm quality parameters and reproductive health in men from the general population? SUMMARY ANSWER: A positive association between sperm and leukocyte TL with sperm concentration and total count has been demonstrated. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Male factors account for almost half of cases of couple infertility, and shorter TLs have been observed in sperm from men with impaired sperm parameters. However, evidence in men from the general population is limited. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A total of 200 volunteers of reproductive age were recruited between February 2021 and April 2023 to participate in the Lifestyle and Environmental Determinants of Seminogram and Other Male Fertility-Related Parameters (Led-Fertyl) cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: TLs in sperm and leukocytes were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in 168 and 194 participants, respectively. Sperm parameters, including concentration, total count, motility, vitality, and morphology, were analyzed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) SCA (R) system according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 guidelines. Multivariable regression models were performed to assess the associations between sperm and leukocyte TL, either in tertiles or as continuous variables, and sperm quality parameters while adjusting for potential confounders. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Participants in tertiles 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) of sperm TL showed a higher sperm concentration (beta: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.09-2.09 and beta: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.04-3.09 for T2 and T3, respectively; P-trend < 0.001), compared to those in the reference tertile (T1). Participants in the highest tertile of sperm TL showed higher total sperm count (beta: 3.83; 95% CI: 2.08-5.58 for T3 vs T1; P-trend < 0.001). Participants in the top tertile of leukocyte TL showed higher sperm concentration (beta: 1.49; 95% CI: 0.44-2.54 for T3 vs T1; P-trend 1 / 4 0.004), and total count (beta: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.62-5.35 for T3 vs T1; P-trend