Machine learning-enhanced SERS for accurate azoospermia diagnosis via seminal plasma exosome analysis

Male infertility affects 10–15% of couples globally, with azoospermia — complete absence of sperm — accounting for 15% of cases. Traditional diagnostic methods for azoospermia are subjective and variable. This study presents a novel, noninvasive, and accurate diagnostic method using surface-enhanced...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jiarui Wang, Shiyan Jiang, Jiaxin Shi, Jing Wang, Shengrong Du, Zufang Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: World Scientific Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S1793545825500038
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Summary:Male infertility affects 10–15% of couples globally, with azoospermia — complete absence of sperm — accounting for 15% of cases. Traditional diagnostic methods for azoospermia are subjective and variable. This study presents a novel, noninvasive, and accurate diagnostic method using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with machine learning to analyze seminal plasma exosomes. Semen samples from healthy controls ([Formula: see text]) and azoospermic patients ([Formula: see text]) were collected, and their exosomal SERS spectra were obtained. Machine learning algorithms were employed to distinguish between the SERS profiles of healthy and azoospermic samples, achieving an impressive sensitivity of 99.61% and a specificity of 99.58%, thereby highlighting significant spectral differences. This integrated SERS and machine learning approach offers a sensitive, label-free, and objective diagnostic tool for early detection and monitoring of azoospermia, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes and patient management.
ISSN:1793-5458
1793-7205