Seminal fructose and citric acid concentrations relative to sperm parameters among men for fertility evaluation in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Aim: Given the male infertility’s pluri-etiological nature, thorough examinations are needed for its evaluation. Fructose and citric acid are simple biomolecules, easy to assay, which provide reliable information on the seminal vesicles and prostate, respectively. This study aimed to compare the seminal fructose and citric acid levels in men undergoing fertility evaluation and determine the relation between these markers and sperm parameters. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on consenting male participants. Following 2010 seminal fluid analysis (SFA) manual of World Health Organization (WHO), semen samples were analyzed for several sperm parameters, seminal fructose and citric acid. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 24.0 software. Significant statistical difference was considered at P < 0.05. Results: There is no significant difference between seminal fructose and citric acid levels amongst men with normal and abnormal sperm parameters as median seminal fructose and citric acid levels were 11.1 (7.4–17.1) mg/mL and 11.4 (7.3–15.2) mg/mL respectively (P ≥ 0.05). However, a high level of fructose was observed in the two groups according to the reference value. The study revealed a significant positive correlation between seminal fructose levels and semen volume (coefficient rho = 0.663; P = 0.001) and between seminal citric acid levels and semen volume (coefficient rho = 0.319; P = 0.004). Conclusions: These biomarkers secretions can serve as markers of the state of their respective secreting glands and hence play a vital role in the investigation of male infertility.