Oxidative Stress In Infertile Men Research Articles

P-844: Relationship between seminal viscosity and oxidative stress in infertile men

P-844: Relationship between seminal viscosity and oxidative stress in infertile men

Alterations in mitochondria membrane potential and oxidative stress in infertile men: a prospective observational study

Objective To evaluate the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of spermatozoa and its correlation with semen parameters and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infertile men and healthy donors. Design Controlled prospective study. Setting Male infertility clinic, Glickman Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. Patient(s) Nineteen infertile men and 7 healthy volunteers. Intervention(s) Standard semen analysis, assessment of MMP and ROS production in spermatozoa. The MMP was assessed by flow cytometry using the probe carbocyanine DiOC 6(3) and ROS was measured with chemiluminescence assay using luminol. Main outcome measure(s) The results of MMP are reported as the median interquartile range (IQR) number of cells counted in different areas of fluorescence. Results of ROS measurement are expressed as ×10 6 counted photons per minute per 20 million sperm (cpm). Results The patients with abnormal semen parameters had a significantly lower MMP [1337.7 (1066.38, 1879.2)], and higher ROS [1.12 (0.26, 3.86)] than the donors [MMP: 2482.9 (2162.5, 3520.6)] and [ROS: 0.10 (0.01, 0.14)]. The MMP was positively correlated with sperm concentration (r = 0.62) and negatively correlated with the ROS produced (r = −0.45). Conclusion(s) Measuring MMP in spermatozoa provides useful information about a man's fertility potential. Increased ROS production by spermatozoa is associated with a decreased MMP.

Effect of cigarette smoking on levels of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men: a prospective study

Objective: To investigate levels of seminal oxidative stress (OS) and sperm quality in a group of infertile men with a history of cigarette smoking. Design: A prospective clinical study. Setting: Male infertility clinic, Urological Institute, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. Patient(s): Infertile men who smoked cigarettes (n = 20), infertile men who were nonsmokers (n = 32), and healthy nonsmoking donors (n = 13). Intervention(s): Genital examination, standard semen analysis, sperm DNA damage. Main Outcome Measure(s): Levels of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measured by a chemiluminescence assay and seminal OS assessed by calculating a ROS-TAC score. Sperm DNA damage was measured by sperm chromatin structure assay. Result(s): Smoking was associated with a 48% increase in seminal leukocyte concentrations ( P<.0001), a 107% increase in ROS levels ( P=.001), and a 10-point decrease in ROS-TAC scores ( P=.003). Differences in standard sperm variables and DNA damage indices between the infertile smokers and infertile nonsmokers were not statistically significant. Conclusion(s): Infertile men who smoke cigarettes have higher levels of seminal OS than infertile nonsmokers. Given the potential adverse effects of seminal OS on fertility, physicians should advise infertile men who smoke cigarettes to quit.

An accurate and reliable method for the diagnosis of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men.

Objective: There is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the cut-off values of seminal oxidative stress (OS) despite a strong correlation between OS and male infertility. Since OS in semen is the result of an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant strategies, we hypothesized that levels of ROS in neat semen of men undergoing fertility evaluation may reflect OS status in vivo. The objectives of this study were to 1) establish a cut-off value of seminal OS by measurement of ROS levels directly in neat semen in a group of normal healthy donors (controls) and comparing the results with a population of infertile men, and 2) evaluate the characteristics of laboratory variability of ROS measurement in neat semen.

Comparison of two methods for assessment of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men.

Objective: Seminal oxidative stress (OS) is defined as an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and is highly correlated with male infertility. Evaluation of seminal OS status is of important diagnostic and prognostic value in a male infertility clinic. The objective of this study was to compare two methods for evaluation of the seminal OS: 1) by measurement of ROS directly in neat semen, and 2) by measurement of ROS in washed semen, TAC in seminal plasma, and the calculation of a composite ROS-TAC score.

Relationship between oxidative stress, semen characteristics, and clinical diagnosis in men undergoing infertility investigation

Objective: To determine whether particular semen characteristics in various clinical diagnoses of infertility are associated with high oxidative stress and whether any group of infertile men is more likely to have high seminal oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in sperm physiological functions, but elevated levels of ROS or oxidative stress are related to male infertility. Design: Measurement of sperm concentration, motility, morphology, seminal ROS, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in patients seeking infertility treatment and controls. Setting: Male infertility clinic of a tertiary care center. Patient(s): One hundred sixty-seven infertile patients and 19 controls. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Semen characteristics, seminal ROS, and TAC in samples from patients with various clinical diagnoses and controls. Result(s): Fifteen patients (9.0%) were Endtz positive and 152 (91.0%) Endtz negative. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were significantly reduced in all groups compared with the controls ( P = .02), except in varicocele associated with infection group. Mean (±SD) ROS levels in patient groups ranged from 2.2 ± 0.13 to 3.2 ± 0.35, significantly higher than controls (1.3 ± 0.3; P<.005). Patient groups had a significantly lower mean (±SD) TAC from 1014.75 ± 79.22 to 1173.05 ± 58.07 than controls (1653 ± 115.28, P<.001), except in the vasectomy reversal group (1532.02 ± 74.24). Sperm concentration was negatively correlated with ROS both overall and within all groups ( P≤.007), with the exception of idiopathic infertility. Conclusion(s): Irrespective of the clinical diagnosis and semen characteristics, the presence of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men suggests its role in the pathophysiology of infertility. Medical or surgical treatments for infertility in these men should include strategies to reduce oxidative stress.