Abstract
BackgroundInfertile men have higher levels of semen reactive oxygen species (ROS) than fertile men. High levels of semen ROS can cause sperm dysfunction, sperm DNA damage and reduced male reproductive potential. This study investigated the effects of supplementation with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on the sperm quality, chromatin integrity and levels of oxidative stress in infertile men.MethodsThe study was carried out in the unit of ACECR Infertility Research Center, Qom, Iran. The patients consisted of 50 infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia who received NAC (600 mg/d) orally for 3 months, after which they were compared with pre-treatment status. Semen was analyzed according to WHO (2010), followed by the assessment of protamine content [chromomycin A3 (CMA3)] and DNA integrity [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)]. Oxidative stress markers, i.e. total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as hormonal profile (LH, FSH, Testosterone and Prolactin) were determined by ELISA kit.ResultsAfter NAC treatment, patients’ sperm count and motility increased significantly whereas abnormal morphology, DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency showed significant decreases compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05). Hormonal profile improvement was associated with lowered FSH and LH levels and increased amount of testosterone (P < 0.05). TAC significantly increased and MDA decreased with an inverse significant correlation between TAC and MDA (P < 0.05).ConclusionNAC oral supplementation may improve sperm parameters and oxidative/antioxidant status in infertile males.
Highlights
Infertile men have higher levels of semen reactive oxygen species (ROS) than fertile men
Physiological, and genetic factors have been implicated with sperm functions and infertility [2]
Increased pathological ROS generation leads to sperm dysfunction, decreased semen quality and sperm DNA damage [5]
Summary
Infertile men have higher levels of semen reactive oxygen species (ROS) than fertile men. High levels of semen ROS can cause sperm dysfunction, sperm DNA damage and reduced male reproductive potential. This study investigated the effects of supplementation with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on the sperm quality, chromatin integrity and levels of oxidative stress in infertile men. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS), known as free radicals, are oxidizing agents with a high reactive capacity. ROS may have either endogenous or exogenous origin and may cause defective spermatogenesis and male infertility [1]. Increased pathological ROS generation leads to sperm dysfunction (lipid peroxidation), decreased semen quality and sperm DNA damage [5]. Oxidative stress damages sperm genes with the occurrence of singleand/or double stranded DNA [6]. Scavenging excess ROS is essential for normal spermatogenesis and fertilization [7]
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