Abstract #0906

Increased metabolites in lower quality sperm suggest altered metabolism and increased cytoplasm compared to higher quality sperm

Sarah Calvert¹, Steven Reynolds², Martyn Paley², and Allan Pacey¹

¹Department of Oncology & Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, ²Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

Sperm movement is necessary for reproduction and low sperm motility can impede fertilization. There is a need for greater understanding of the metabolic processes that drive sperm motility. In this study, we examined differences in sperm metabolite profiles between high and low quality sperm in order to identify possible intracellular biomarkers of sperm quality and motility. Sperm motility was significantly different between the two fractions and fell either side of the WHO lower reference limit. Low quality sperm contained higher concentrations of choline, methyls, citrate and lactate, indicative of increased cell membrane and altered metabolism towards glycolysis.

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