Abstract
Measurement of sperm oxidative-antioxidant indicators is widely used in the assessment and detection of biochemical causes of male infertility. The main purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers that assist in diagnostics and monitoring of male reproductive potential. We performed the assessment of oxidative-antioxidant malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and total redox antioxidant potential (TRAP) indicators in seminal plasma, seminogram, clinical condition, and lifestyle of people with reproductive problems. The combined assessment of GSH and TRAP as potential biomarkers of male infertility in semen plasma was characterized by the highest total sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, we provide evidence that male reproductive potential is significantly correlated with basic sperm parameters, sperm cell membrane integrity, their morphology, lifestyle, eating habits, occupation, and mental health. Our results provide evidence on the importance of oxidative stress and defense against free radicals in diagnosing and monitoring men with infertility that are consistent with previously conducted research. We provide an alternative approach on the possibility of interpreting the combination of the biomarkers that can bring benefits to a multi-threaded approach to the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Highlights
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) defines infertility as the inability to conceive despite regular unprotected intercourse during 12 months or longer [1]
Our study showed statistically significant differences in the levels of GSH, total redox antioxidant potential (TRAP), and MDA in the semen of patients with infertility compared to fertile men
These markers, especially in combination increasing their sensitivity and specificity, may have a potential as predictors of male reproductive potential in addition to seminogram performed in routine semen analysis
Summary
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) defines infertility as the inability to conceive despite regular unprotected intercourse during 12 months or longer [1]. Nearly 48.5 million couples have a problem with infertility worldwide, and almost 15% of them have been trying to conceive a child [3]. A total inability of a man to fertilize a woman occurs at a frequency of 2% and is defined as a primary infertility [4,5]. In Poland, nearly 40% of 1.5 million registered couples struggling with infertility try to solve this problem using primary health care, while 60% require specialist treatment as assisted reproduction techniques (ART), performed in 2% of infertile couples [7,8,9]
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