Alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential (δϕ) and oxidative stress in men with male infertility.

Abstract

Objective: Oxidative stress due to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is known to impair male fertility. Sperm mitochondria possess a distinct genome (mtDNA) which is more susceptible to ROS-induced damage than nuclear DNA. Fragmentation of genomic DNA is one of the hallmarks of apoptosis. Functional integrity of sperm mitochondria is indicative of apoptosis. Alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential (δψ) may occur during early stages of apoptosis. The ability to discriminate between mitochondria exhibiting high membrane potential from those having low δψ provides a rigorous estimate to metabolic function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ROS on mitochondrial membrane potential and to evaluate its correlation with conventional semen parameter.