Effect of lifestyle factors and food supplements on fertility parameters of men with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and azoospermia

The aim of the study was to estimate whether allelic variants in sperm motor protein genes, lifestyle factors, and treatment with anti-oestrogens in combination with antioxidants may affect sperm quality and hormone levels in patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) and azoospermia. 50 oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and 23 azoospermia patients were sequenced for pathogenic variants in DNAH1, TEX11 and CFAP43 genes. Exons with the highest rate of pathogenic variations were selected: exons 11, 23, 76 in DNAH1; exon 32 in CFAP43; exons 11 and 25 for TEX11. Hormone levels and spermograms were evaluated during infertility treatment. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS. Chi-square test and one – tailed Pearson's correlation was used. Two allelic variants in OAT group were found - rs11714402 (23%) and rs61734637 (4%), both localized in gene DNAH1. In OAT group, testosterone level means increased significantly after the treatment (4.9 ng/mL to 5.2 ng/mL, p=0.017). Non-significant increase in motility class A sperm proportion was observed (1,4% to 2,2%, p=0.061). Significant correlations were found between elevated estradiol levels and excessive alcohol usage (ρ=0.021) in OAT group; smoking, excessive alcohol usage and increased prolactin levels (ρ=0.05 and ρ=0.008) in azoospermia group. The food supplements and clomiphene citrate may improve sperm quality. The lifestyle habits may have impact on fertility. Further investigation by enlarging sample size and gathering more metadata could elucidate links between genetic and lifestyle factors, and promote the development of new treatment options of male infertility.