Effect of CYP1A1 gene polymorphism and psychological distress on seminal analysis parameters

BACKGROUND: Psychological factor alters fertility hormones and contributes to male infertility. Anxiety and depression are common manifestations of psychological distress. Cytochrome P-4501A1 (CYP1A1) metabolizes xenobiotics and fertility hormones that influence male fertility. The effect of CYP1A1 polymorphism on male fertility has remained controversial. The present study was designed to assess the effect of psychological distress and CYP1A1 polymorphisms and their interactions on parameters of seminal analysis. METHODS: Eighty male partners of infertile couples were evaluated for level of distress using Hospital anxiety and depression score (HADS) questionnaire. As per WHO guidelines (2010), sperm count, motility and morphology were assessed and subjects were classified as (a) subjects having normal sperm characteristics and (b) subjects having abnormal sperm characteristics. CYP1A1 polymorphisms were detected by ASO-PCR. RESULTS: The significant odd’s ratio indicates that psychological distress (OR:10.54; CI:3.72–29.84; P < 0.001), CYP1A1*4(OR:10.31; CI:3.01–35.24; P < 0.001) and CYP1A1*2C (OR:7.01; CI:1.78–27.56; P = 0.002) polymorphisms are risk factors for the development of abnormal sperm characteristics in male subjects. Data analysis with two way ANOVA shows that psychological distress, CYP1A1*4 and CYP1A1*2C polymorphisms significantly affect but do not interact among them to influence sperm parameters. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms and psychological distress act independently but do not interact with each other in pathogenesis of male infertility.