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February 8, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Low Testosterone and Sperm Quality Alterations: A Prospective Study of Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Chromatin Condensation in Infertile Men

ASAsmaa SerboutiKBKenza BerradaSHSamy Housbane

Key Points

  • Evaluate the effects of low testosterone on sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation, and chromatin structure.
  • Conducted a prospective study with 214 men aged 25–45 undergoing infertility evaluation.
  • Classified participants into low and normal testosterone groups based on serum testosterone levels.
  • Measured total testosterone using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and semen parameters as per WHO 2021 guidelines.
  • Assessed DNA fragmentation index using the TUNEL assay and chromatin decondensation via aniline blue staining.
  • Men with low testosterone levels exhibited significantly impaired semen parameters compared to those with normal levels.
  • Positive correlations were found between testosterone and sperm concentration, total motility, normal morphology, and sperm vitality.
  • Negative correlations were noted between testosterone levels and DNA fragmentation index as well as chromatin decondensation index.
  • A higher proportion of pathological DNA fragmentation index was observed in the low testosterone group.

Abstract

(1) Background: Testosterone plays a key role in spermatogenesis and in maintaining semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. Consequently, reduced testosterone levels may disrupt these processes and contribute to male infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of low testosterone levels on semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, and chromatin condensation; (2) Methods: This was a prospective study that included 214 men aged 25–45 years undergoing infertility evaluation. Participants were classified into two groups according to serum testosterone levels: low testosterone and normal testosterone. Total testosterone was determined using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Semen analysis was carried out according to the WHO 2021 guidelines. The DNA fragmentation index was assessed using the TUNEL assay. The sperm decondensation index was evaluated by aniline blue staining; (3) Results: Men with low serum total testosterone levels (15%) was observed in the low testosterone group. (4) Conclusions: These findings support the essential role of testosterone in sustaining spermatogenesis, semen quality, and sperm DNA integrity and highlight the crucial importance of testosterone assessment in the diagnosis and pathophysiological understanding of male infertility.

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Cite This Study

Serbouti et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/698828410fc35cd7a8847a36https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15030287
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