https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2023.11462

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels in seminal plasma and serum in azoospermic patients versus fertile men: A cross-sectional study

Vol. 95 No. 3 (2023)
Submitted: May 11, 2023
Accepted: June 20, 2023
Published: September 5, 2023
Gal-1, Gal-3, Azoospermia, Normal spermatogenesis
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Authors

Sameh Fayek GamalEl Din
samehfayek@kasralainy.edu.eg
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1918-5132
Department of Andrology, Sexology and STDs, Kasr AlAiny Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Olfat Gamil Shaker
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3031-3599
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kasr AlAiny Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Ahmad Fawzy Megawer
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4307-7579
Department of Andrology, Sexology and STDs, Kasr AlAiny Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Mohamed Ahmed Abdel Salam
Department of Andrology, Sexology and STDs, Kasr AlAiny Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Abdelhalim Nabil Abdelhalim
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2480-8731
Department of Andrology, Sexology and STDs, Kasr AlAiny Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Ahmed Adel
Department of Andrology, Sexology and STDs, Kasr AlAiny Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

Introduction: Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) are expressed by many immune cells and receive considerable attention in the context of immunity. We aimed to compare between seminal plasma and serum levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 in azoospermic patients and fertile men. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the andrology outpatient clinic from January (2022) to September (2022). A total of 90 participants were enrolled and divided into two equal groups: azoospermic and normal group. Semen analysis was done for all participants. Hormonal profile including FSH, LH, serum prolactin, total testosterone and estradiol was performed as well as assessment of serum and seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 by ELISA commercial kits. Finally, scrotal Duplex was done in standing and supine position. Results: Serum and seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 were statistically significant higher in azoospermic patients compared with normal individuals (p < 0.001 for all). In addition, in healthy individuals there were statistically significant positive correlations between serum levels of Gal-1 and age, FSH, LH levels (r = 0.296, p = 0.005; r = 0.333, p = < 0.001; r = 0.312, p = 0.003, respectively) and serum levels of Gal-2 and FSH and LH (r = 0.436, p < 0.001; r = 0.350, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas serum Gal-3 showed a borderline positive correlation with age (r = 0.2, p = 0.059). Additionally, statistically significant positive correlations between seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 and free testosterone in healthy individuals were reported (r = 0.205, p = 0.053; r = 0.219, p = 0.038, respectively). On the other hand, there were negative correlations between serum and seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3, total and progressive sperm motility, sperm count and abnormal sperm forms in healthy individuals (r = -0.382, p < 0.001; r = -0.405, p < 0.001; r = -0.376, p < 0.001; r = -0.364, p < 0.001) (r = -0.394, p < 0.001; r = -0.467, p < 0.001; r = -0.413, p < 0.001; r = -0.433, p < 0.001); (r = -0.372, p < 0.001; r = -0.377, p < 0.001; r = -0.317, p = 0.002; r = -0.311, p = 0.003)(r = -0.445, p < 0.001; r = -0.498, p < 0.001; r = -0.453, p < 0.001; r = -0.463, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, statistically significant positive correlations between serum levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 and age in azoospermic patients were reported (r = 0.511, p < 0.001; r = 0.390, p = 0.008, respectively). On the other hand, there were negative correlations between seminal Gal-1 and estradiol (E2) and seminal Gal-3 and FSH and LH in azoospermic patients (r= -0.318, p = 0.033; r = -0.322, p = 0.031; r = -0.477, p < 0.001, respectively). Also, negative correlations between serum Gal-3 and total and free testosterone in azoospermic patients were detected (r = -0.396, p = 0.007; r = -0.375, p = 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: Elevated serum and seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 have detrimental effects on spermatogenesis. Furthermore, the current study demonstrated potential regulatory effects of reproductive hormones on Gal-1 and Gal-3. Thus, future studies are needed to confirm such findings.

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How to Cite

GamalEl Din, S. F., Shaker, O. G., Fawzy Megawer, A., Abdel Salam, M. A., Abdelhalim, A. N., & Adel, A. (2023). Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels in seminal plasma and serum in azoospermic patients versus fertile men: A cross-sectional study. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 95(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2023.11462
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