Seminal plasma homocysteine, folate and cobalamin in men with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze homocysteine, folate and cobalamin in men with normozoospermia, obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. METHODS: Analysis of plasma and seminal plasma homocysteine, folate and cobalamin in 72 azoospermic and 62 normozoospermic men. Evaluation of the azoospermic patient included testicular biopsy, endocrine, urological and ultrasound examination. RESULTS: Homocysteine (1.2 µmol/l) and cobalamin (322.05 pmol/l) concentrations (median values) in seminal plasma were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in men with azoospermia than in men with normozoospermia (2.5 µmol/l and 579.0 pmol/l). Folate and cobalamin concentrations were significantly higher in obstructive than in non-obstructive azoospermia. Significant correlations were determined between testis volume and seminal plasma homocysteine in azoospermic men. CONCLUSION: Lower concentrations of homocysteine and cobalamin (but not folate) were found in azoospermic seminal plasma than normozoospermic. Folate and cobalamin were higher in seminal plasma from obstructive azoospermia than in non-obstructive azoospermia patients.