# Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia

## TL;DR

This study finds that lower levels of osteopontin in seminal plasma are linked to reduced sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that osteopontin may serve as a potential biomarker and treatment supplement for male infertility.

## Key findings

- Infertile men with AZS had significantly lower seminal plasma osteopontin levels compared to healthy controls.
- Osteopontin treatment improved sperm motility parameters in AZS patients in a concentration-dependent manner.
- Osteopontin levels showed good discrimination between fertile and infertile groups with an area under the curve of 0.793.

## Abstract

Male infertility, a complex multifactorial condition, is frequently caused by asthenozoospermia (AZS). Although osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated in mammalian reproduction, its specific effects on sperm motility and fertility are not well understood. This study investigates the relationships between seminal plasma OPN levels and sperm parameters in cases of male infertility.

A total of 158 semen samples were analyzed, comprising 78 from infertile men with AZS and 80 from healthy fertile controls. OPN concentrations in seminal plasma were measured using the ELISA method. Additionally, we assessed the in vitro effect of OPN on sperm motility parameters in AZS patients and controls.

Significantly lower OPN concentrations were observed in the seminal plasma of infertile men with AZS compared to healthy controls (P<0.0001). OPN levels discriminated between the groups, with an area under the curve of 0.793. Additionally, in vitro OPN treatment significantly improved sperm motility in the AZS group, enhancing progressive and total motility, as well as kinematic parameters in a concentration-dependent manner.

This study established a link between OPN level and sperm motility in infertile individuals with AZS, suggesting the potential of OPN as a biomarker for AZS and as a supplement for assisted reproductive techniques.