Seminal quality of patients affected by Type II Diabetes: New laboratory markers in male fertility

• Grant number: 25/00327-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Jorge Hallak
• Grantee: Lizia Alves Coelho
• Host Institution: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The incidence of infertility has increased in recent years due to a variety of factors. It is known that pro-inflammatory diseases common in the population, such as obesity and diabetes (DM), can affect the production of sexual hormones and sperm quality. However, there is still no in-depth understanding or consensus on the mechanisms underlying fertility loss, resulting in unclear and poorly established treatment. Given this scenario, this study aims to investigate the seminal quality and sperm function of men with DM 2 and propose new seminal markers that contribute to andrological diagnosis and the development of new clinical therapies. Sixty patients will be recruited and distributed into groups according to individual diagnosis: DM2, DM2 + infertility and control (healthy individuals). With semen samples, a spermogram will be performed, determination of oxidative stress levels, lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation analysis and characterization of neutrophil extracellular networks (NETs). The ANOVA test will be applied for parametric data (followed by the Tukey test) or Kruskal-Wallis test for non-parametric data (p<0.05). It is therefore expected that this study will clarify the mechanisms of action of DM 2 on seminal quality and sperm function, identifying possible therapeutic targets, contributing to the development of new clinical approaches.