Abstract
ABSTRACTPurpose:Understanding the effects of high oxidation reduction potential (ORP) levels on sperm parameters will help to identify patients with unexplained and male factor infertility who may have seminal oxidative stress and determine if ORP testing is needed. This study aimed to evaluate the association between seminal ORP and conventional sperm parameters.Materials and Methods:A total of 58 patients who provided a semen sample for simultaneous evaluation of sperm parameters and ORP between January and September 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective study. To identify normal and high ORP levels, a static ORP (sORP) cut-off value of 1.36mV/106sperm/mL was used. Sperm parameters were compared between infertile men with normal sORP (control group, n=23) and high sORP values (study group, n=35).Results:Men with sORP values >1.36mV/106sperm/mL had significantly lower total sperm count (TSC) (p <0.001), sperm concentration (p <0.001) and total motile sperm count (TMSC) (p <0.001). In addition, progressive motility (p=0.04) and fast forward progressive motility (p <0.001) were significantly lower in the study group. A negative correlation was found between sORP and TSC (r=-0.820, p <0.001), sperm concentration (r=-0.822, p <0.001), TMSC (r=-0.808, p <0.001) and progressive motility (r=-0.378, p=0.004). Non-progressive motility positively correlated with sORP (r=0.344, p=0.010).Conclusions:This study has shown that TSC, sperm concentration, progressive motility and TMSC are associated with seminal oxidative stress, indicated by a sORP cut-off of 1.36mV/106sperm/mL. Presence of oligozoospermia, reduced progressive motilty or low TMSC in sperm analysis should raise the suspicion of oxidative stress and warrants seminal ROS testing.
Highlights
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as by-products during normal metabolic events and play a crucial role in various cellular processes
When patients were grouped according to etiology of infertility; four of 18 (22%) patients with unexplained infertility had elevated seminal static ORP (sORP) and 31 out of 40 (77.5%) patients with male factor infertility had elevated sORP values
Male factor infertility patients had significantly higher seminal sORP values compared to unexplained infertility patients (p
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as by-products during normal metabolic events and play a crucial role in various cellular processes. The imbalance between ROS and antioxidant capacity due to excess production of ROS leads to oxidative stress [1]. Oxidative stress contributes to the pathophysiology of many diseases, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer [2]. ROS and oxidative stress have been implicated in the impairment of sperm functions. ROS are normally present in human semen at low levels. Exogenous stimuli including infections, environmental factors, and tobacco use can contribute to seminal ROS [3]. Normal physiological levels of ROS are required for normal sperm functions, such as capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm-oocyte fusion. Spermatozoa are very sensitive to excess ROS due to their limited antioxidant capacity. Excessive ROS induces pathological processes in sperm cells, including lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, leading to sperm dysfunction [3]
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