Superoxide dismutase and catalase levels in seminal plasma according to the clinical diagnosis

Abstract

ObjectiveHuman spermatozoa are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and are therefore susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) attack. To counteract the harmful effects of ROS, seminal plasma possesses a number of antioxidant systems that scavenge ROS and prevent internal cellular damage. The objective of our study was to examine and assess if seminal oxidative stress can differentiate men with various clinical diagnosis.DesignProspective study.Materials and methods12 infertile patients were included in the study. Infertile patients were divided into 3 groups according to the clinical diagnosis: group 1: varicocele (n = 62); group 2: infection (n = 18) and group 3: idiopathic infertility (n = 32). The control group consisted of 21 volunteers with normal healthy sperm. Semen characteristics and antioxidant levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in samples from patients with various clinical diagnoses and controls.ResultsTabled 1Table 1.Clinical diagnosisConcentrationMotilityMorphologySODCatalaseControl53.4 ± 5.2259.93 ± 5.3132.05 ± 1.4138.03 ± 21.6534.03 ± 20.65Varicocele19.89 ± 3.77 (P = 0.04)33.2 ± 2.33 (P = 0.04)21.1 ± 4.1 (P = 0.04)12.2 ± 5.4 (P = 0.01)12.6 ± 1.7 (P = 0.01)Infection19.18 ± 6.1 (P = 0.04)29.97 ± 2.43 (P = 0.04)19.12 ± 4.44 (P = 0.04)15.12 ± 8.21 (P = 0.02)16.32 ± 2.12 (P = 0.02)Idiopathic Infertility48.53 ± 6.35 (P = 0.1)37.93 ± 3.36 (P = 0.07)31.2 ± 2.65 (P = 0.09)14.9 ± 5.45 (P = 0.02)17.24 ± 1.54 (P = 0.02)Infertile group (Overall)31.2 ± 8.35 (P = 0.06)34.26 ± 3.67 (P = 0.08)23.2 ± 4.56 (P = 0.07)14.67 ± 7.27 (P = 0.02)14.87 ± 1.95 (P = 0.02)∗P<0.05 was considered significant compared to control Open table in a new tab ConclusionsPresence of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men irrespective of the clinical diagnosis and semen characteristics, suggests its role in the pathophysiology of infertility. ObjectiveHuman spermatozoa are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and are therefore susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) attack. To counteract the harmful effects of ROS, seminal plasma possesses a number of antioxidant systems that scavenge ROS and prevent internal cellular damage. The objective of our study was to examine and assess if seminal oxidative stress can differentiate men with various clinical diagnosis. Human spermatozoa are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and are therefore susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) attack. To counteract the harmful effects of ROS, seminal plasma possesses a number of antioxidant systems that scavenge ROS and prevent internal cellular damage. The objective of our study was to examine and assess if seminal oxidative stress can differentiate men with various clinical diagnosis. DesignProspective study. Prospective study. Materials and methods12 infertile patients were included in the study. Infertile patients were divided into 3 groups according to the clinical diagnosis: group 1: varicocele (n = 62); group 2: infection (n = 18) and group 3: idiopathic infertility (n = 32). The control group consisted of 21 volunteers with normal healthy sperm. Semen characteristics and antioxidant levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in samples from patients with various clinical diagnoses and controls. 12 infertile patients were included in the study. Infertile patients were divided into 3 groups according to the clinical diagnosis: group 1: varicocele (n = 62); group 2: infection (n = 18) and group 3: idiopathic infertility (n = 32). The control group consisted of 21 volunteers with normal healthy sperm. Semen characteristics and antioxidant levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in samples from patients with various clinical diagnoses and controls. ResultsTabled 1Table 1.Clinical diagnosisConcentrationMotilityMorphologySODCatalaseControl53.4 ± 5.2259.93 ± 5.3132.05 ± 1.4138.03 ± 21.6534.03 ± 20.65Varicocele19.89 ± 3.77 (P = 0.04)33.2 ± 2.33 (P = 0.04)21.1 ± 4.1 (P = 0.04)12.2 ± 5.4 (P = 0.01)12.6 ± 1.7 (P = 0.01)Infection19.18 ± 6.1 (P = 0.04)29.97 ± 2.43 (P = 0.04)19.12 ± 4.44 (P = 0.04)15.12 ± 8.21 (P = 0.02)16.32 ± 2.12 (P = 0.02)Idiopathic Infertility48.53 ± 6.35 (P = 0.1)37.93 ± 3.36 (P = 0.07)31.2 ± 2.65 (P = 0.09)14.9 ± 5.45 (P = 0.02)17.24 ± 1.54 (P = 0.02)Infertile group (Overall)31.2 ± 8.35 (P = 0.06)34.26 ± 3.67 (P = 0.08)23.2 ± 4.56 (P = 0.07)14.67 ± 7.27 (P = 0.02)14.87 ± 1.95 (P = 0.02)∗P<0.05 was considered significant compared to control Open table in a new tab ∗P<0.05 was considered significant compared to control ConclusionsPresence of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men irrespective of the clinical diagnosis and semen characteristics, suggests its role in the pathophysiology of infertility. Presence of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men irrespective of the clinical diagnosis and semen characteristics, suggests its role in the pathophysiology of infertility.