Evaluation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and S-adenosyl-methionine level in male infertility: A case-control study

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) plays a key role in regulating folate balance, converting homocysteine to methionine, and producing s-adenosylmethionine (SAM) that plays a role in the methylation process. Objective: This study aimed to determine MTHFR activity and SAM level in men with normozoospermia and oligozoospermia. Materials and Methods: ۳۰ oligozoospermic and ۳۰ normozoospermic men as controls were enrolled in this case-control study. Semen analysis was conducted according to the world health organization criteria. All semen samples were collected after ۳-۵ days of sexual abstinence. The sperms were evaluated by sperm test video software. All subjects SAM level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and MTHFR were measured manually. Results: ۲ groups had a significant difference in sperm morphology (p = ۰.۰۲), concentration (p = ۰.۰۲) and motility (p = ۰.۰۳). The MTHFR activity in normozoospermic and oligozoospermic groups had significantly differences (p = ۰.۰۱). The level of SAM in the semen of oligozoospermic men was statistically lower than normozoospermic men (p = ۰.۰۳). Also, there was a positive association between MTHFR enzyme activity and SAM level in the normozoospermia group (p = ۰.۰۲, β = ۰.۶۷) and oligozoospermia group (p = ۰.۰۳, β = ۰.۵۴). Conclusion: MTHFR activity and SAM concentration were statistically lower in oligozoospermia men. It seems they can affect sperm concentration, morphology, and motility.

Keywords:

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase , S-adenosylmethionine , Normozoospermia , Oligozoospermia , Folic acid. , متیلن تتراهیدروفولات ردوکتاز , اس- آدنوزیل متیونین , نرمواسپرمی , الیگواسپرمی , اسید فولیک.