Seminal Plasma Ascorbic Acid Research Articles

Moringa oleifera leaves extract enhances fresh and cryopreserved semen characters of Barki rams

This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Moringa oleifera leaves extract (MOLE) to improve the characters of fresh and cryopreserved semen of Barki rams compared to vitamin E and Selenium combination. Twenty-four mature Barki rams (50–70 Kg) were randomly assigned into three groups, eight rams each. The first group was given distilled water orally. The second group was given MOLE orally daily at a dose of 40 mg/kg. The third group was injected with a combination of vitamin E and selenium at a dose of 3 ml (4.5 mg sodium selenite and 204 mg vitamin E)/head i.m twice a week for 64 days. Moringa oleifera leaves extract increased semen volume, sperm concentration, activities of seminal plasma catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), levels of ascorbic acid and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, it significantly increased post thawing sperms motility, viability index, membrane integrity, and the activities of post thawing semen antioxidant enzymes. While it decreased seminal plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and acrosomal defects and DNA fragmentation of sperm in cryopreserved semen. Vitamin E and selenium decreased semin volume, sperm concentration, seminal plasma ascorbic acid, TAC concentrations and activities of antioxidant enzymes while it increased sperm abnormalities, DNA fragmentation and MDA concentration in seminal plasma. This study indicated that Moringa oleifera leaves extract improved the characters of the fresh and cryopreserved semen of Barki rams via improving seminal plasma antioxidant defense mechanism.

Comparative blood and seminal plasma oxidant/antioxidant status of Arab stallions with different ages and their relation to semen quality

ObjectiveTo investigate the antioxidant/oxidant levels in blood serum and seminal plasma of Arab stallion with different ages and their relation to semen quality. MethodsHealthy Arabian stallions (n = 57), were divided into three groups. Young (5–10years), Moderate (11–16 years) and Old stallions (>16 years) were subjected to semen evaluation. Seminal plasma and blood samples were collected and stored at −20 °C for measuring glutathione reduced, nitric oxide, Malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, copper and zinc. ResultsOld stallions had significantly greater (P < 0.05) ejaculate volume, % live sperm, and total sperm number compared to young and moderate aged groups. The moderate age horses had significantly the lowest (P < 0.05) sperm concentration. Compared to young horses, serum zinc concentrations of moderate and old horses were significantly high (P < 0.0 001), but NO concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) low. Seminal plasma zinc, ascorbic acid and nitric oxide concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05 and 0.01) high in young stallion group. No significant correlations were observed between seminal zinc, copper, MDA and semen variables. Meanwhile, significant negative correlations were observed between seminal plasma ascorbic acid concentration and all semen variables except total sperm number and sperm abnormities %. Significant correlations were observed between reduced glutathione and both of sperm motility and % of live sperm. Nitric oxide concentrations correlated directly with individual sperm motility but adversely with total sperm number. ConclusionStallion age has significant effect on some semen variables, antioxidant/oxidant status of either blood serum or seminal plasma.

Effect of Smoking Status on Seminal Parameters and Apoptotic Markers in Infertile Men

We assessed semen parameters, sperm apoptotic markers and seminal plasma cotinine in infertile smokers. A total of 160 men were divided into 4 equal groups, including fertile smokers, fertile nonsmokers, infertile smokers and infertile nonsmokers. Smoking was classified as mild--fewer than 10, moderate--10 to 20 or heavy--more than 20 cigarettes daily. All men underwent semen analysis, and assessment of sperm caspase-9, Smac/DIABLO, DNA fragmentation and seminal plasma cotinine. Infertile men, particularly smokers, have significantly lower semen variables and significantly higher sperm Smac/DIABLO, caspase-9 activity, the percent of DNA fragmentation and seminal plasma cotinine. The mean number of cigarettes smoked daily and smoking duration significantly correlated positively with sperm Smac/DIABLO, caspase-9 activity, the percent of DNA fragmentation and seminal plasma cotinine, and significantly correlated negatively with tested semen variables. Heavy smoking was associated with a significant increase in sperm Smac/DIABLO, caspase-9 activity and seminal plasma cotinine, and with a significant decrease in tested semen variables compared with those in moderate or mild smokers. Smoking has a negative impact on semen variables. It is associated with increased sperm caspase-9, Smac/DIABLO and the percent of DNA fragmentation, especially in infertile heavy smokers.

Role of ascorbic acid in human seminal plasma against the oxidative damage to the sperms

This study evaluated the extent of oxidative stress by measuring malondialdehyde and ascorbic acid in the seminal plasma of human subjects with different fertility potential. Semen samples from 148 subjects were evaluated (48 normozoospermics, 34 oligoasthenoteratozoospermics, 34 asthenoteratozoospermics and 32 azoospermics). malondialdehyde level was found to be significantly higher in the abnormal groups (oligoasthenoterato and asthenoterato-zoospermics) than normozoospermics (P < 0.01). Negative correlation was also found between malondialdehyde level, sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology. Level of ascorbic acid was found to be significantly higher in normozoospermics than other abnormal groups (P < 0.01). It was found to be correlated positively with all seminogram parameters and negatively with malondialdehyde level. The study revealed that, excess lipid peroxidation reflected by high malondialdehyde level with reduced ascorbic acid in human seminal plasma is associated with poor semen quality where as ascorbic acid content has positive correlation with fertility potential.

Mucuna pruriens Reduces Stress and Improves the Quality of Semen in Infertile Men

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the role of Mucuna pruriens in infertile men who were under psychological stress. Study included 60 subjects who were undergoing infertility screening and were found to be suffering from psychological stress, assessed on the basis of a questionnaire and elevated serum cortisol levels. Age-matched 60 healthy men having normal semen parameters and who had previously initiated at least one pregnancy were included as controls. Infertile subjects were administered with M. pruriens seed powder (5 g day−1) orally. For carrying out morphological and biochemical analysis, semen samples were collected twice, first before starting treatment and second after 3 months of treatment. The results demonstrated decreased sperm count and motility in subjects who were under psychological stress. Moreover, serum cortisol and seminal plasma lipid peroxide levels were also found elevated along with decreased seminal plasma glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid contents and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity. Treatment with M. pruriens significantly ameliorated psychological stress and seminal plasma lipid peroxide levels along with improved sperm count and motility. Treatment also restored the levels of SOD, catalase, GSH and ascorbic acid in seminal plasma of infertile men. On the basis of results of the present study, it may be concluded that M. pruriens not only reactivates the anti-oxidant defense system of infertile men but it also helps in the management of stress and improves semen quality.

Effect of smoking on seminal plasma ascorbic acid in infertile and fertile males

This work aimed to assess the relationship of seminal ascorbic acid levels with smoking in infertile males. One hundred and seventy men were divided into four groups: nonobstructive azoospermia [NOA: smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; oligoasthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 30), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; asthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)] and normozoospermic fertile men [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]. The patients underwent medical history, clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of ascorbic acid in the seminal plasma calorimetrically. There was a significant decrease in the mean seminal plasma ascorbic acid levels in smokers versus nonsmokers in all groups (mean +/- SD; 6.03 +/- 2.18 versus 6.62 +/- 1.29, 7.81 +/- 1.98 versus 9.44 +/- 2.15, 8.09 +/- 1.98 versus 9.95 +/- 2.03, 11.32 +/- 2.15 versus 12.98 +/- 12.19 mg dl(-1) respectively). Fertile subjects, smokers or not, demonstrated significant higher seminal ascorbic acid levels than any infertile group. Seminal plasma ascorbic acid in smokers and nonsmokers was correlated significantly with sperm concentration (r = 0.59, 0.60, P < 0.001), sperm motility (r = 0.65, 0.55, P < 0.001) and negatively with sperm abnormal forms per cent (r = -0.53, -0.50, P < 0.001). Nonsignificant correlations were elicited with semen volume (r = 0.2, 0.09) or liquefaction time (r = 0.03, 0.06). It is concluded that seminal plasma ascorbic acid decreased significantly in smokers and infertile men versus nonsmokers and fertile men, and is significantly correlated with the main sperm parameters: count, motility and normal morphology. Also, cigarette smoking is associated with reduced semen main parameters that could worsen the male fertilizing potential, especially in borderline cases.

Relationship between seminal ascorbic acid and sperm DNA integrity in infertile men

Ascorbic acid has recently been reported to protect sperm DNA from the damage induced by exogenous oxidative stress in vitro. But, there is no report on seminal ascorbic acid and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men. In this study, we asked whether sperm DNA damage correlates with seminal ascorbic acid levels. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was analysed in 75 men by flow cytometry after acridine orange staining. We also measured the levels of seminal plasma ascorbic acid and total antioxidant capacity. Abnormal sperm DNA integrity (DFI >or= 30%) was observed in 12% of the patients with normal semen parameters and in 52% of the patients with abnormal semen parameters. There were significant correlations between the level of DFI and conventional semen parameters including sperm count, motility and morphology (r = -0.29, -0.55 and -0.53 respectively; p < 0.05). Seminal ascorbic acid level was significantly lower in the patients with leucospermia than the patient with normal semen parameters. Interestingly, a significantly greater percentage of men with abnormal DFI were observed in the patients with low levels of seminal ascorbic acid compared with those with normal or high levels of ascorbic acid (59% vs. 33%, p < 0.05). Men with insufficient seminal ascorbic acid frequently have sperm DNA damage.

Polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 and male infertility in Taiwanese patients with varicocele

To examine glutathione S-transferase M1 (GST M1) gene polymorphism and male infertility in Taiwanese patients with varicocele, 80 young male patients with varicocele (group 1), 62 young male patients with subclinical varicocele (group 2) and 60 normal young males (group 3) were recruited in this study. GST M1 null homozygous genotype [GST M1-] and the occurrence of a 4977 bp deletion of sperm mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were determined by polymerase chain reaction. The 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) content of sperm DNA was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The frequencies of GST M1- genotype were 43.8, 41.9 and 45% for patients in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In group 1 patients with GST M1- genotype, the frequency of the presence of the 4977 bp deletion in sperm mtDNA (54.3%) was significantly higher than that of the patients without the 4977 bp deletion in sperm mtDNA (45.7%, OR: 2.63, P = 0.04). Patients of groups 1 and 2 with GST M1- genotype had significantly higher 8-OHdG content in sperm DNA and lower protein thiols and ascorbic acid in seminal plasma than those with GST M1+ genotype. GST M1- genotype predisposes to increased oxidative damage to sperm of patients with varicocele.

Ascorbic acid protects against male infertility in a teleost fish.

An animal unable to synthesize ascorbic acid uniquely mimicks human and non-human primates. Therefore, in this study we used the rainbow trout, a teleost fish, as the model animal to study the importance of dietary ascorbic acid on the fertilizing ability of sperm. A high concentration of ascorbic acid in semen plays a key role in maintaining the genetic integrity of sperm cells, by preventing oxidative damage to sperm DNA. This study will show that the concentration of ascorbic acid in seminal plasma reflects the dietary intake of vitamin C. The concentration of ascorbic acid in seminal plasma of fish declined significantly in groups fed either an ascorbate-free diet (from 4.74 +/- 0.9 to 0.16 +/- 0.08 microgram ml-1) or an ascorbate-rich diet (from 37.9 +/- 4.7 to 17.7 +/- 3.2 microgram ml-1) during the spermiation season. The relationship between ascorbate status and fertility was studied in six groups of fish fed graded levels of ascorbic acid, which spermiated over a 150-day-period. Sperm from individual males was used to fertilize several batches of eggs. When the seminal plasma ascorbate concentration decreased to 7.3 microgram ml-1 a significant decrease of fertilization rate and the hatching rate of embryos resulted. This is the first evidence that dietary ascorbate level directly affected sperm quality and influenced male fertility in a scurvy-prone vertebrate.

Sperm Quality and Ascorbic Acid Concentration in Rainbow Trout Semen are Affected by Dietary Vitamin C: An Across-Season Study1

High concentrations of ascorbic acid occur in scurvy-prone, teleost fish plasma. We quantified seasonal relationships between 1) dietary level of vitamin C and level of seminal plasma ascorbic acid, and 2) seminal plasma ascorbic acid concentration and sperm quality, in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We maintained six groups of 2-yr-old rainbow trout on diets supplemented with 0, 30, 110, 220, 440, and 870 ppm ascorbyl monophosphate beginning in May 1992. Sperm were produced during the end of October 1992 through April 1993; we collected milt 13 times from 3-8 fish per treatment. We quantified ascorbic acid concentration in seminal plasma, and sperm concentration, motility, and weight. Seminal plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were affected directly by the ascorbyl monophosphate level in the diet. Seminal plasma ascorbic acid concentrations also were affected by season. Ascorbic acid deficiency did not influence semen quality (sperm concentration and motility) at the beginning of the spawning season. However, sperm concentration and motility in a group fed an ascorbic acid-free diet declined during the period of study. Ascorbic acid deficiency reduced both sperm concentration and motility, and thus fertility, of rainbow trout. These results indicate that vitamin C is important for male fish reproduction; the dietary requirement for seminal plasma ascorbic acid saturation exceeds that for optimum growth.

Relationship between biochemical constituents of fish semen and fertility: the effect of short-term storage

Spermatozoa and seminal plasma obtained from rainbow trout and whitefish were analyzed in respect to their aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) and alkaline phosphatase activities. In particular, the experiments characterized AspAT optimum pH, optimization of assay conditions and action of coenzyme, pyridoxal 5-phosphate (vitamin B6). The effect of short-term semen storage at 0°C on biochemical indicators and fertilization rate was examined in both species. The concentrations of reduced and oxidized ascorbic acid in seminal plasma of both species were several folds higher than in spermatozoa and blood plasma of fish. Highly significant correlations were found for both species between AspAT activity (sperm or seminal plasma) and fertilization rate (% of eyed-stage or hatched embryos). For rainbow trout, highly significant correlations were found between sperm concentration, motility and fertilization rate. These results suggest that several biochemical indicators of seminal plasma can be used as measures of sperm quality of fish. Some common biochemical parameters for fish and mammal's semen provide evidence for using fish sperm as a model in biomedical research.

Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of smokers

To determine the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of heavy smokers. Microscopic examination of semen for 1 month during supplementation with placebo or ascorbic acid at dose levels of 200 or 1,000 mg/d. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch. Seventy-five men (20 to 35 years old) randomly divided into one of three supplementation groups: placebo, 200 mg and 1,000 mg of ascorbic acid. Improvement in sperm quality as compared with presupplementation levels and between the three treatment groups. The placebo group showed no improvement in sperm quality. The groups receiving ascorbic acid showed improvement in sperm quality with most improvement in the 1,000-mg group. Pearson's correlation showed statistically significant relationships between the weekly group means of serum and seminal plasma ascorbic acid levels and sperm qualities. Ascorbic acid supplementation of heavy smokers in excess of 200 mg/d results in improved sperm quality.