University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Andrology. 2018 Nov;6(6):817-828. doi: 10.1111/andr.12532. Epub 2018 Sep 4.
Cholesterol is essential for cell membrane stability, permeability, and fluidity. Cholesterol is present in seminal plasma, but whether a relationship between the level of cholesterol in seminal plasma and semen quality exists remains to be elucidated.
To explore the association between cholesterol levels in seminal plasma and serum cholesterols, semen quality, and serum reproductive hormones. Secondly, to explore whether the associations are biologically plausible.
An association study between cholesterol levels in seminal plasma and semen quality in 403 men, median age 19 years, from the general population. Additionally, an immunohistochemical evaluation of proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism and transport in tissues from the male reproductive tract (testis, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicle). Tissue specimens were investigated by immunohistochemistry for markers of cholesterol metabolism and transport (ABCA1, ABCG1, CYP11A1, CYP51A1, HMGCR, LAL, LCAT, LDLR, and SOAT1).
Trend analyses showed that total amount of total cholesterol in seminal plasma was positively associated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and morphology (all p < 0.008, adjusted). Cholesterol concentrations in seminal plasma were neither associated with serum cholesterol and lipid levels nor serum reproductive hormone (FSH, LH, testosterone, estradiol, sex-hormone-binding globulin, inhibin b) levels. All investigated markers of cholesterol metabolism and transport were expressed in the investigated tissue specimens to varying degrees.
Seminal plasma level of cholesterol was positively associated with semen parameters. The presence of proteins and enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and maturing germ cells in the seminiferous tubules supports the view that cholesterol may be important for spermatogenesis.
Cholesterol level in seminal plasma may be an indicator of semen quality. Investigations are needed to corroborate or refute our findings and to clarify the exact role of cholesterols for semen quality.
胆固醇是细胞膜稳定性、通透性和流动性所必需的。胆固醇存在于精液中，但精液中胆固醇水平与精液质量之间是否存在关系仍有待阐明。
探讨精液中胆固醇水平与血清胆固醇、精液质量和血清生殖激素之间的关系。其次，探讨这些关联是否具有生物学意义。
对来自普通人群的 403 名男性（中位年龄 19 岁）的精液中胆固醇水平与精液质量进行了关联研究。此外，还对男性生殖道（睾丸、附睾、前列腺和精囊）组织中参与胆固醇代谢和转运的蛋白质进行了免疫组织化学评估。通过免疫组织化学检测胆固醇代谢和转运的标志物（ABCA1、ABCG1、CYP11A1、CYP51A1、HMGCR、LAL、LCAT、LDLR 和 SOAT1），研究组织标本。
趋势分析显示，精液中总胆固醇总量与精子浓度、总精子数、精子活力和形态呈正相关（均 p<0.008，调整后）。精液中胆固醇浓度与血清胆固醇和血脂水平以及血清生殖激素（FSH、LH、睾酮、雌二醇、性激素结合球蛋白、抑制素 b）水平均无相关性。在所研究的组织标本中，所有参与胆固醇代谢和转运的标志物均有不同程度的表达。
精液中胆固醇水平与精液参数呈正相关。在睾丸间质细胞、支持细胞和生精小管中成熟的生殖细胞中存在参与胆固醇代谢的蛋白质和酶，这支持了胆固醇对精子发生可能很重要的观点。
精液中胆固醇水平可能是精液质量的一个指标。需要进一步的研究来证实或反驳我们的发现，并阐明胆固醇对精液质量的确切作用。
