Antioxidant Capacity Of Semen Research Articles

The Relationship between Body Mass Index, Metal Elements, and Antioxidant Capacity of Semen on The Human Sperm Chromatin.

Sperm chromatin abnormalities are defects in nuclear maturation and DNA integrity. These defects originated from defective spermatogenesis due to a lack of DNA repair during chromatin remodeling. Changes in semen elements can cause damage to chromatin. There is little information about the relationship between changes in trace metal elements and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with sperm chromatin damage. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between Selenium (Se), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) and the TAC of semen with the status of human sperm chromatin. In this experimental study, semen samples (n=30) were collected from healthy men referred to Kermanshah Motazadi Hospital and stored in liquid nitrogen; after thawing and centrifugation, sperm were separated. The atomic absorption method was used to measure the concentration of metal elements. The TAC was evaluated using the ferric-reducing antioxidant capacity of the plasma method. Furthermore, the integrity of sperm chromatin was measured using the sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) method. The status of sperm chromatin had a non-significant correlation with body mass index (BMI, P=0.25, r=0.21) and a non-significant negative correlation with sperm count (P=0.71, r=-0.71) and motility (P=0.75, r=0.61). In addition, there was no significant relationship between sperm chromatin and the TAC of semen (P=0.92, r=0.01). Additionally, there was no significant correlation between Se, Zn, or Cu concentration (P>0.05) and Fe concentration, which had a partially positive relationship with the chromatin state of sperm (P=0.24, r=0.20). The trace metal elements in the seminal fluid did not play a significant role in the status of sperm chromatin.

Differences of semen microbiota among breeding boars with different reproductive ages.

In this study, we investigated 18 healthy and fertile Duroc boars, dividing them into two groups based on their reproductive age: 9 boars aged 18 mo and 9 boars aged 36 mo. Prior to semen sampling, all boars were raised together under identical management conditions for a period of 3 mo. Our findings revealed that older boars exhibited lower sperm motility and a higher proportion of abnormal sperm morphology compared to younger boars. Furthermore, older boars demonstrated lower anti-oxidant capacity in their semen, as indicated by elevated levels of malondialdehyde and decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Microbiota analysis utilizing the 16S rRNA technique showed that the semen microbiota of older boars had reduced alpha-diversity and beta-diversity in comparison to younger boars. We identified the Streptococcus genus and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp macedonicus species served as biomarkers for semen from younger breeding boars, while the Bacteroides pyogenes species as a biomarker for semen from older breeding boars. Additionally, the semen from older boars exhibited a higher abundance of Aerococcus, Gallicola, Ulvibacter, and Proteiniphilum compared to younger boars. Spearman correlation analysis showed that these four bacteria were negatively correlated with semen quality. The abundance of Gallicola and Proteiniphilum were negatively correlated with semen anti-oxidant capacity. Additionally, the reduction of semen anti-oxidant capacity was correlated to the decrease of semen quality. Based on these findings, we concluded that the semen of older boars contains a higher abundance of harmful bacteria, which contributes to the observed reduction in semen anti-oxidant capacity and overall semen quality in this group.

Improving seminal quality and reproductive performance in male broiler breeder by supplementation of camphor

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary camphor levels as a medicinal feed additive to improve semen quality, antioxidant capacity, reproductive hormones, and reproduction performance in roosters. For this purpose, thirty-five 29-wk-old Ross 308 broiler breeder roosters randomly were assigned to five experimental groups (seven birds/group) and received five doses of camphor containing 0, 50, 250, 750, and 1000 mg camphor/kg of feed for 12 wk consecutive. Semen quality parameters and motion characteristics of sperm were evaluated every 28 days and semen antioxidant capacity and plasma reproductive hormones concentration were tested at the end of the experiment. Also, at the end of the experiment, reproductive performance was assessed using artificial insemination. Among seminal quality parameters, sperm forward motility (88.96 vs 82.56%) and percentage of abnormal sperm (14.75 vs 15.86%) were improved in roosters fed 50 mg camphor/kg of feed compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Overall percentage of live sperm and plasma membrane integrity exhibited the quadratic responses to the levels of camphor (P < 0.08). The motion characteristics of sperm including progressive motility (28.81 vs 21.77%), average path velocity (VAP, 33.35 vs 26.83 μm/s), progressive velocity (VSL, 19.78 vs 16.48 μm/s), curvilinear line velocity (VCL, 52.87 vs 44.38 μm/s), the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, 2.92 vs 2.46 μm) were improved in roosters fed 50 mg camphor/kg of feed compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, dietary camphor levels linearly increased the percentage of linearity (LIN) and straightness (STR) (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in seminal plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed in birds fed 1000 mg camphor/kg of feed (P < 0.05). Testosterone concentration was considerably increased by doses of 50 and 250 mg camphor/kg of feed compared to control (4.68, 4.79 vs 3.88 ng/mL) (P < 0.05). FSH and LH concentrations were not affected by camphor supplementation (P > 0.05). In the artificial insemination, fertility rate from both 50 mg camphor/kg of feed (88%) and 250 mg camphor/kg of feed (84%) was higher than control (75%) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, low levels of camphor, especially 50 mg camphor/kg of feed, improved seminal characteristics and, reproductive performance of roosters. Further researches are needed on the effect of higher levels of camphor and divulge of underlying mechanism on male’s reproductive function.

107 Administration of antioxidants improves serum total antioxidant capacity, testosterone, and seminal quality of Magra rams

Oxidative stress is one of the most important factors responsible for poor quality of semen, and it is defined as an imbalance between the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS, including hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, and hydrogen peroxide) and antioxidant capacity of semen. Antioxidants act as a powerful defence system against ROS attack in sperm cells by decreasing oxidative stress and they improve semen quality, which could be useful in the management of male infertility. Magra is a dual-purpose (wool and meat) hardy sheep breed that originated in the eastern and southern parts of the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India. The present study evaluated the effects of the administration of vitamin E with selenium or vitamin C on serum antioxidants, testosterone, and seminal quality of Magra rams. Twenty-one Magra rams, aged between 1.5 and 2.5 years, were randomly assigned to treatment at weekly intervals with administration of either 1mL of vitamin E (tocopherol, 50mg mL−1) and selenium (1.5mg sodium selenite; n=7; VES), 8mL of vitamin C (250mg mL−1 sodium ascorbate; n=7; VC), or 1mL of saline (n=7; control) subcutaneously for 5 consecutive weeks. After the fourth week, semen and blood were collected twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks and assayed for seminal quality parameters, serum testosterone, and serum antioxidants. Data obtained were analysed statistically using te SPSS software (version 25.0; IBM Corp.). Mean values were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test. The semen parameters sperm motility, sperm concentration, live sperm percentage, and% HOST (hypo-osmotic swelling test)-positive sperm were significantly elevated, whereas reaction time and percentage of abnormal sperm were lower in both the treated groups compared with controls (P&amp;lt;0.05). Seminal pH declined significantly in the VES group (P&amp;lt;0.05), whereas it was not different between the VC and control groups of rams (P&amp;gt;0.05). Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity concentrations were higher in serum and seminal plasma of treated rams (P&amp;lt;0.05). Serum testosterone concentrations were significantly elevated in VES and VC groups (P&amp;lt;0.05). We concluded that the administration of vitamin E and selenium or vitamin C improves the serum testosterone production and seminal quality of rams.

Chronic exposure to organophosphate pesticides as an important challenge in promoting reproductive health: A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION:Organophosphate compounds (OPCs) are suspected to make changes in reproductive function by oxidant/antioxidant balance disruption in the brain, consequently impairing hypothalamic, pituitary endocrine functions, and gonadal processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational exposure to OPCs on the reproductive system of farm workers, in Hamadan, Iran.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A comparative study was conducted in rural farmers and urban men aged 20–40 years. After sampling and analysis of semen quality parameters (such as sperm count, sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, and sperm morphology), serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity (a specific biomarker in OPCs exposure), as well as total antioxidant capacity, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation levels for both semen and serum samples were determined. In addition, serum samples were analyzed for reproductive hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone.RESULTS:Our findings showed that the number of sperms (P = 0.04), their motility (P < 0.001), and progressive status (P < 0.001) in rural farmers were significantly lower than the urban population. In addition, a significant decrease was observed in BChE activity (P < 0.001) and LH level (P < 0.001), and also a remarkable increase was found in testosterone level (P = 0.0014) in the serum of rural farmers compared to the urban population. Along with a decrease in semen total antioxidant capacity, a positive significant correlation was found between sperm motility and semen antioxidant capacity (r = 0.45; P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Exposure to OPCs may affect reproductive outcomes through impairing hypothalamic and/or pituitary endocrine dysfunctions and gonadal processes in farmers.

What does the clinician need from an andrology laboratory

What does the clinician need from an andrology laboratory? The andrology laboratory is vital for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility, which is contributory in 50% of infertile couples. While there are some diagnostic tests of limited clinical utility, many tests can be useful in specific clinical settings. In this chapter, we will review the basic interpretation of the semen analysis, testing for sperm vitality and motion, inflammation, semen antioxidant capacity, sperm DNA damage, antisperm antibodies, post ejaculate urine analysis as well as other functional testing. Several clinical vignettes are presented for real-life examples of interpretation of the role of the andrology laboratory in clinical infertility.