Abstract
BackgroundOxidative stress has been implicated in male infertility through decrease in sperm quality. However, men with normal semen parameters (normozoospermia) may be unable to fertilize their partners even when they have normal sperm function. Thus, they would be considered infertile. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of unexplained male infertility.MethodsIn this case–control study, infertile men with normozoospermia (n = 46) and fertile control group (n = 21) underwent seminal fluid analyses according to WHO 2010 criteria. Serum and seminal plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione, malondialdehyde, uric acid and albumin were also measured using colorimetric methods.ResultsThe level of total antioxidant capacity in both serum and seminal plasma was significantly lower in normozoospermic infertile men in comparison with fertile group (p < 0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed in serum and seminal plasma levels of glutathione, uric acid, albumin and malondialdehyde between infertile and fertile groups.ConclusionLow TAC level induces oxidative stress and consequently causes sperm dysfunction and male infertility. Estimation of TAC can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of male infertility. Antioxidant supplementation should be considered in the treatment of oxidative stress-induced male infertility.
Highlights
Oxidative stress has been implicated in male infertility through decrease in sperm quality
The aim of this study is to investigate the role oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of unexplained male infertility through estimation of semen and serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione, MDA, uric acid and albumin in normozoospermic infertile men
5 Conclusion Our study demonstrates that total antioxidant capacity (TAC) affects male fecundity
Summary
Oxidative stress has been implicated in male infertility through decrease in sperm quality. Men with normal semen parameters (normozoospermia) may be unable to fertilize their partners even when they have normal sperm function. In nearly 25% of male infertility cases, Oxidative stress (OS) has been involved in unexplained male infertility, and contemporary parameters have introduced OS as markers in the identification of potential causes of male infertility. ROS have critical rule in male reproductive function, and these active molecules are required in small quantities for normal sperm function [7], while high quantities could decrease semen quality and impair sperm
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