Abstract:
Introduction: Assessment of seminal plasma fructose in relation to seminal vesicles
(SV s) function or semen quality is controversial. Majority supported the futility of
assessing fructose levels in relation to SVs function or semen quality. One study has been
reported that fructose corrected for motile sperm concentration is a better marker for
evaluating SVs function. But there is no supportive evidence to prove this suggestion.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine a better marker for the evaluation of
seminal plasma fructose in relation to SV s function and semen quality using two markers;
total fructose in the ejaculate (TF) and corrected seminal fructose (CF), calculated as (log
motile sperm count) x (total fructose), in a Sri Lankan male population.
Method: Semen samples were obtained from 152 men who attended the subfertility unit,
Faculty of medicine, Ragama for semen analysis. Samples were analyzed for semen
parameters. Seminal plasma fructose levels were measured using colorimetric method
given in the WHO guidelines.
Results: Prevalence of hypofunction of SVs was 11 % using total fructose as a marker
and 19% using corrected fructose as a marker. Asthenozoospermia was observed in 5%
of males with abnormal TF levels (<13 !!mol I ejaculate) and in 9 % of males with
abnormal (low) CF levels. Volume, progressive motility, viability and morphology were
significantly low in CF fructose abnormal samples (volume-2.0 Vs 2.9, motility-32.5 Vs
53.2, viability-60.3 Vs 72.7, morphology- 29.7 Vs 41.1, p<0.001), whereas only
parameter significantly reduced in TF abnormal group was volume (1.5 Vs 2.9, p<0.001).
Regression analysis showed a better coefficient of correlations between CF and sperm
count (r"' 0.365, p<0.0001) and, motile sperm count (r'"0.294. p<0.0001). TF showed a
weak positive correlation with sperm count (r= 0.197, p<O.Ol).
Conclusion: Corn:cted fructose is a better marker for studying seminal vesicles function
and their relationship with semen parameters.
