The Associations between Infertility and Antioxidants, Proinflammatory Cytokines, and Chemokines.

Dorota Chyra-Jach,Zbigniew Kaletka,Sławomir Kasperczyk,Michał Dobrakowski,Aleksandra Kasperczyk,Anna Machoń-Grecka,Ewa Birkner

doi:10.1155/2018/8354747

Dorota Chyra-Jach, Zbigniew Kaletka + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8354747

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in relation to the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in patients diagnosed with oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. Based on the basic parameters of the spermogram, the examined group (n = 243) was divided into three groups: oligospermic group (sperm count less than 15 × 106/ml) consisting of 152 men, astenozoospermic group (less than 40% of progressively moving sperm cells) consisting of 142 men, and oligoastenozoospermic group (both criteria met) consisting of 90 men. The control group consisted of 103 males with normal semen profile according to the WHO criteria. Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in seminal plasma and spermatozoa lysate was significantly lower by 12% and 22%, respectively, in males with oligospermia than in the control group. Analogically, Mn-SOD activity in spermatozoa lysate was significantly lower in males with oligospermia, asthenospermia, and oligoasthenospermia by 44%, 32%, and 45%, respectively. By contrast, CuZn-SOD activity in spermatozoa lysate was significantly higher in males with oligospermia by 60%. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in seminal plasma was also significantly higher in males with oligospermia and oligoasthenospermia by 56% and 78%, respectively. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in seminal plasma was significantly higher in males with asthenospermia than in the control group by 12%. By contrast, the level of MDA in spermatozoa lysate was significantly lower in males with oligospermia, asthenospermia, and oligoasthenospermia by 26%, 20%, and 26%, respectively. The level of interleukin- (IL-) 8 in seminal plasma was significantly higher in males with asthenospermia and oligoasthenospermia by 64% and 67%, respectively. Abnormalities in spermogram, such as oligospermia, asthenospermia, and oligoasthenospermia, may be related to a decreased activity of Mn-SOD in spermatozoa and increased levels of chemokines in seminal plasma.

Highlights

The failure to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse with the same partner is defined as infertility [1]
The numbers of peroxidase-positive cells were within the normal ranges (
Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in seminal plasma and spermatozoa lysate was significantly lower by 12% and 22%, respectively, in males with oligospermia than in the control group

Summary

Introduction

The failure to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse with the same partner is defined as infertility [1]. The male factor is the cause of infertility in couples in approximately 30–40% of cases [2]. Defective sperm function is the most common cause of male infertility. Abnormal semen parameters include decreased sperm concentration, impaired motility, and altered morphology. There are many possible endogenous and exogenous factors that influence sperm quality. Many studies indicate that oxidative stress should be regarded as a plausible cause of idiopathic male infertility [3]

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