Nikitin O. D., Kvach M. D.

MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SPERMATOZOA IN MEN WITH CHRONIC PROSTATITIS: CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR FERTILITY ASSESSMENT

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About the author:

Nikitin O. D., Kvach M. D.

Heading:

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE

Type of article:

Scientific article

Annotation:

Chronic prostatitis (CP) is a common disorder of the male reproductive system that is frequently associated with impaired fertility. Changes in ejaculate quality in patients with CP include impaired sperm motility and morphology, which may adversely affect sperm functional capacity. Therefore, the investigation of sperm morphometric parameters as potential additional markers of reproductive dysfunction is of considerable diagnostic and prognostic significance. The aim of the study was to comprehensively assess the morphological characteristics of ejaculate in men with chronic prostatitis, determine their association with the development of infertility, and identify the most informative markers for predicting reproductive dysfunction. The study included 351 patients: 46 healthy fertile men (control group), 111 patients with CP without signs of infertility (Group 1), and 194 patients with CP and confirmed infertility (Group 2). Sperm head area, perimeter, length, and width; Feret diameter and equatorial diameter; elongation and roundness indices; circular and elliptical shape factors; and mean cell dimensions were assessed. The study demonstrated that patients with CP, particularly those with infertility, had a significant increase in sperm area and perimeter, accompanied by increases in equatorial diameter and roundness index. A decrease in sperm elongation in infertile patients with CP indicates a loss of the typical elongated shape, which is critical for maintaining sperm motility and functional capacity. Thus, chronic prostatitis is accompanied by significant morphometric changes in spermatozoa, manifested by increases in area, perimeter, equatorial diameter, and roundness index. In patients with CP and infertility, these changes are more pronounced and are accompanied by decreased sperm elongation, reflecting a morphological loss of functional capacity. The identified changes may be used as additional criteria for the diagnosis and prediction of fertility in men with chronic prostatitis.

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Bibliography:

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Publication of the article:

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine», 2026 Issue 3, 182, 325-331 pages, index UDC 616.65-002.2-092.4:612.617.3-07-085

DOI:

10.29254/2077-4214-2026-3-182-325-331