The relationship between the ability of sperm to bind hyaluronic acid with the DNA fragmentation and sperm parameters

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the ability of sperm to bind hyaluronic acid with the level of DNA fragmentation and sperm parameters. Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 90 semen samples from husbands of infertile couples in the Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. The values evaluated: sperm parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA). Results: The mean of progressive motility (PR) and normal morphology of sperm were lower than the threshold of the WHO reference value (PR = 31.59 ± 10.14% < 32%; normal morphology = 3.86 ± 2.12% < 4%), the mean of DFI was 23.88 ± 15.56 (4.4 - 76.4)%. The mean of HBA was lower than the reference threshold: HBA = 47.19 ± 28.71 < 60%. The group of high HA binding (HBA > 60%) had a higher percentage of normal morphology than the low binding group (HBA ≤ 60%), but the difference was not statistically significant, p=0.14. The concentration of sperm after washing in the HBA group > 60% was statistically significantly higher than in the HBA group ≤ 60% (32.08± 17.25 vs 20.81 ± 9.61, P=0.00). There was a positive correlation between the HBA and sperm concentration after washing (r=0.308, P=0.003). There was no correlation between the HBA and the morphology, motility, and sperm DNA fragmentation. Conclusion: The ability of sperm to bind HA was no relationship with sperm parameters and the sperm DNA fragmentation in fresh semen samples. But, it was positively correlated with sperm concentration after washing. Evaluation of sperm HA binding has a role potential in assisted reproductive techniques. Key words: semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, hyaluronic acid binding