Correlation of skin carotenoid levels with embryo development and pregnancy result of in vitro fertilization cycles for couples with unexplained infertility.

Wen-Jung Chen,Sung-Lang Chen,Chun-Chia Huang,Maw-Sheng Lee,Shu-Ling Tzeng,Hui-Mei Tsao,Tsung-Hsien Lee,En-Hui Cheng

doi:10.1002/fsn3.1615

Abstract

Oxidative stress‐related DNA damage is a significant pathology for male subfertility and unexplained infertility (UI). Antioxidant supplement by food or nutrition may benefit sperm function of UI couples. However, the role of antioxidant status on fertilization outcome and embryo development for UI couples is not clear. A total of 63 semen samples from UI couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (26 pregnant cycles and 37 nonpregnant cycles) were recruited for this prospective observational study. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of sperm cells are detected by a chemiluminescence assay. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of seminal plasma is evaluated according to an antioxidant assay kit. The skin carotenoid status in the male partners of UI couples is measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy to determine the antioxidant potential from dietary supplement. The skin carotenoid status (23,115 ± 6,831 vs. 19,432 ± 5,242 Raman intensity, p = .0329 by Mann–Whitney U test) and day 3 good embryo rates (49.6 ± 27.1% vs. 26.8 ± 23.1%, p = .002 by Mann–Whitney U test) are higher in pregnant cycles compared to those in nonpregnant cycles. The local antioxidant capacity (seminal TAC) is closely correlated with fertilization rates (r = .35, p = .005). In contrast, skin carotenoid status is intimately associated with good embryo rates in IVF cycles (r = .34, p = .007). In conclusion, the skin carotenoid status of male partners of UI couples may benefit embryo development and the subsequent pregnancy outcome of IVF treatment. Further investigation about the effect and mechanism of nutritional supplement on embryo development in IVF cycles for UI couples is deserved.

Highlights

Oxidative stress-related injury to sperm cells is a significant cause leading to male subfertility and unexplained infertility (Agarwal, Prabakaran, & Allamaneni, 2006; Bonanno et al, 2016; Said et al, 2004; Tremellen, 2008)
We found that Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels of seminal plasma but not skin carotenoid status are significantly correlated with normal fertilization rates (Figure 2a,b)
We suggested that sperm cell function of unexplained infertility (UI) couples could be improved after removal of the apoptotic sperm cells (Lee et al, 2010)

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Oxidative stress-related injury to sperm cells is a significant cause leading to male subfertility and unexplained infertility (Agarwal, Prabakaran, & Allamaneni, 2006; Bonanno et al, 2016; Said et al, 2004; Tremellen, 2008). Oxidative stress in the semen was identified from normozoospermic men undergoing infertility survey (Pasqualotto et al, 2001). These findings suggest that evaluating the levels of antioxidant capacity, ROS, and DNA injury in the semen may be an important work-up for infertile couples in addition to basic semen analysis to determine the fertilization capability of spermatozoa. The carotenoid contents in the body/tissue are currently the best biomarkers for vegetable and fruit intake (Mayne et al, 2010; Scarmo et al, 2012) The performance of this antioxidant status from food supplement for sperm function in IVF cycles has rarely been investigated. Data in the present study might provide a possible new approach for the evaluation and management with nutrition supplement for male partners of UI couples

| MATERIALS AND METHODS

Findings

| DISCUSSION