A systematic review identifying seminal plasma biomarkers and their predictive ability on IVF and ICSI outcome

Abstract

The high molecule concentration in seminal plasma makes seminal plasma a good potential source for an indicator (biomarker) which could predict assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome. This review identified published seminal biomarkers with potential predictive ability of assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcome. Systematic search in MEDLINE-PubMed and EMBASE database was performed. Observational cohort- and case-control studies describing the correlation between biomarkers in human seminal plasma and the outcome of (in)fertile men attending to ART were included. 43 studies were selected reporting on 88 potential seminal plasma biomarkers. Evidence of ART outcome predictability was disclosed for 32 potential biomarkers. 12 out of 32 potential biomarkers were reported in more than one study, however, significance was reported only once: reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), prostate specific antigen (PSA), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), IL-18, and TGF-β/IL-18 ratio. The remaining 20 potential biomarkers were analysed in only one study. Some seminal plasma biomarkers may present good predictability with high significance, yet, high heterogeneity between studies prohibits a comparison and conclusion. This review presents the most comprehensive overview of relevant seminal plasma biomarkers that may predict or explain recurrent ART failure to date and might be of clinical interest in infertility investigation and assisted reproduction. Although firm conclusion cannot be made, this review could serve as guideline to establish an all-encompassing study for biomarkers in seminal plasma and their predictive ability for ART outcome and the development of a diagnostic tool.