Fourier Infrared spectroscopy in the study of manifestations of sperm pathology

Abstract

Using Fourier IR spectroscopy and spermograms, a series of sperm samples isolated by centrifugation from ejaculate in normal and with different types of pathology, followed by drying for 12–14 hours at room temperature (20–22 °C) on slides, was studied. The high informative value of the method for the study of the material composition of sperm cells and the pool of associated cell forms (epithelial cells, spermatogenesis, leukocytes, lecithin grains) was noted. The depth of IR radiation penetration (2–10 microns), allows us to estimate the total content and configuration-conformational forms of proteins (Amide-I and Amide-II bands), polypeptides (1572 cm–1), carbohydrate (1100–1000 cm–1) and lipid (1236, 1172, 1155 cm–1) components, as well as the presence of pyranose forms of β-glucose (835, 770 cm–1) and α-fructose (777 cm–1) in all parts of the cell (head, neck, tail). It has been shown that a decrease in the quality of spermatozoa is accompanied by a decrease in the content of phospholipids, the content and quality of protein structures affecting the viability of the cell and its functional ability, and a simultaneous increase in the content of polypeptide and carbohydrate components in the composition of glyco-peptide complexes. The data obtained can be useful for improving the methods and methods of diagnostic analysis and treatment against the background of the growth of the male factor in the problem of infertile marriages.