Sperm DNA fragmentation decreases after oral anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatment

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Sperm oxidative stress can be caused by intrinsic sperm production of reactive oxygen species or by inflammatory processes and/or sub-clinical infections of the genital tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of oral anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatment on sperm DNA fragmentation.DESIGN: Self-controlled prospective study.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation were assessed in men under infertility investigation at Huntington Medicina Reprodutiva, São Paulo, Brazil from February 2007 to February 2008. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using Sperm Chromatin Dispersion or Halo Assay, whereby 200 sperm per analysis were determined to have normal or abnormal DNA. Patients with sperm DNA fragmentation ≥25% were invited to take part in this study and received daily doses of ciprofloxacine (500mg) and etoricoxib (120mg) per oz for 15 days. Semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation were reassessed after the treatment period. Data were represented as mean±standard error of the mean. Comparisons of sperm DNA fragmentation, sperm concentration, percent of motile sperm, and sperm with normal morphology by Kruger strict criteria before and after treatment were made with Student's paired t-test. Additionally, Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between sperm DNA fragmentation, semen sperm concentration, percent motile sperm, and percent sperm with normal morphology. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05.RESULTS: Seventeen invited men consented to participate in this study. The mean sperm DNA fragmentation before treatment was 36±3%. After treatment with antioxidant and antibiotic mean sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly reduced to 24.9±1%. Sperm concentration (pre-treatment: 14.7±5.4 x 106 spermatozoa/mL; post-treatment: 9.9±4.1 x 106 spermatozoa/mL), motility (pre-treatment: 44±6%; post-treatment: 54±11%) and morphology (pre-treatment: 3±0.8%; post-treatment: 2±0.5%) were not significantly different after treatment. Sperm DNA fragmentation was negatively correlated (r=-0.4; p=0.02) to normal sperm morphology and no other significant correlations were observed.CONCLUSIONS: The use of oral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents significantly reduced sperm DNA fragmentation and their administration to patients prior to in vitro fertilization may be beneficial, especially in men with a high percentage of sperm with DNA damage. OBJECTIVE: Sperm oxidative stress can be caused by intrinsic sperm production of reactive oxygen species or by inflammatory processes and/or sub-clinical infections of the genital tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of oral anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatment on sperm DNA fragmentation. DESIGN: Self-controlled prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation were assessed in men under infertility investigation at Huntington Medicina Reprodutiva, São Paulo, Brazil from February 2007 to February 2008. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using Sperm Chromatin Dispersion or Halo Assay, whereby 200 sperm per analysis were determined to have normal or abnormal DNA. Patients with sperm DNA fragmentation ≥25% were invited to take part in this study and received daily doses of ciprofloxacine (500mg) and etoricoxib (120mg) per oz for 15 days. Semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation were reassessed after the treatment period. Data were represented as mean±standard error of the mean. Comparisons of sperm DNA fragmentation, sperm concentration, percent of motile sperm, and sperm with normal morphology by Kruger strict criteria before and after treatment were made with Student's paired t-test. Additionally, Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between sperm DNA fragmentation, semen sperm concentration, percent motile sperm, and percent sperm with normal morphology. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05. RESULTS: Seventeen invited men consented to participate in this study. The mean sperm DNA fragmentation before treatment was 36±3%. After treatment with antioxidant and antibiotic mean sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly reduced to 24.9±1%. Sperm concentration (pre-treatment: 14.7±5.4 x 106 spermatozoa/mL; post-treatment: 9.9±4.1 x 106 spermatozoa/mL), motility (pre-treatment: 44±6%; post-treatment: 54±11%) and morphology (pre-treatment: 3±0.8%; post-treatment: 2±0.5%) were not significantly different after treatment. Sperm DNA fragmentation was negatively correlated (r=-0.4; p=0.02) to normal sperm morphology and no other significant correlations were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of oral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents significantly reduced sperm DNA fragmentation and their administration to patients prior to in vitro fertilization may be beneficial, especially in men with a high percentage of sperm with DNA damage.