Association between Seminal Plasma Creatine Kinase Activity and Sperm Quality Indices among Men Investigated for Infertility in Benin City, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51152/jbarbiomed.v12i1.263Keywords:
Male, Nigeria, Semen, Creatine Kinase, InfertilityAbstract
Background: Numerous causes of male infertility have been well documented, but fewer studies have associated seminal plasma creatine kinase activity with abnormal sperm indices in men investigated for infertility.
Objective: To assess the association between seminal plasma creatine kinase activity and sperm quality indices among men investigated for infertility in Benin City, Nigeria, to elucidate its potential role as a biomarker of sperm function and male reproductive health.
Methods: Seminal fluid analysis was performed according to World Health Organization standards, and seminal plasma creatine kinase activity was assayed using a spectrophotometric technique in 75 infertile men (≥12 months of failed conception) as study participants and 50 fertile men (recent natural live birth) as controls.
Results: The mean volume (mL), sperm count (×106/mL), total motility (%), progressive motility (%), and viability (%) of infertile males were significantly lower (P<0.05) when compared with the control group, while creatine kinase (IU/L) and abnormal morphology (%) were significantly higher in the infertile group when compared with the control group (P=0.001). In infertile men, seminal plasma creatine kinase activity was significantly and inversely correlated with sperm count, total motility and viability, and positively correlated with abnormal morphology, but not with semen volume or progressive motility. The limitations of this study include a small sample size, its execution at a single center, and the lack of oxidative stress measurements.
Conclusion: The associations between seminal plasma Creatine Kinase activity and sperm quality indicators, apart from semen volume and progressive motility, suggest Creatine Kinase's potential as a biochemical marker for sperm dysfunction and male infertility.
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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Issue
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Copyright (c) 2026 Irabonosa Asiriuwa, Osaze Eweka Eweka, Loveth A Emokpae, Grace Eleojo Obasuyi, Nosakhare O. Enaruna, Mathias A Emokpae
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