Stress In Seminal Plasma Research Articles

Environmental exposure to lead induces oxidative stress and modulates the function of the antioxidant defense system and the immune system in the semen of males with normal semen profile

We investigated the associations between environmental exposure to lead and a repertoire of cytokines in seminal plasma of males with normal semen profile according to the WHO criteria. Based on the median lead concentration in seminal plasma, 65 samples were divided into two groups: low (LE) and high exposure to lead (HE). Differences in semen volume and the pH, count, motility and morphology of sperm cells were not observed between the examined groups. The total oxidant status value and the level of protein sulfhydryl groups as well as the activities of manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly higher in the HE group, whereas the total antioxidant capacity value and the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase were depressed. IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in the HE group compared with the LE group. Environmental exposure to lead is sufficient to induce oxidative stress in seminal plasma and to modulate antioxidant defense system.

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on antioxidant enzymes activity and oxidative stress of seminal plasma: a double-blind randomised clinical trial

Low seminal plasma concentrations of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) have been correlated with impaired sperm parameters, but the exact mechanism remains of dominating interest. This randomised, placebo-controlled study examined the effect of CoQ10 on catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and F2 -isoprostanes in seminal plasma in infertile men and their relation with CoQ10 concentration. Sixty infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) were randomised to receive 200 mg d(-1) of CoQ10 or placebo for 3 months. 47 persons of them completed the study. Semen analysis, anthropometric measurements, diet and physical activity assessment were performed for subjects before and after treatment. Independent and paired t-test, chi-square test and ancova were compared outcomes of supplementation between two groups. CoQ10 levels increased from 44.74 ± 36.47 to 68.17 ± 42.41 ng ml(-1) following supplementation in CoQ10 (P < 0.001). CoQ10 group had higher catalase and SOD activity than the placebo group. There was a significant positive correlation between CoQ10 concentration and normal sperm morphology (P = 0.037), catalase (P = 0.041) and SOD (P < 0.001). Significant difference was shown between the mean of changes in seminal plasma 8-isoprostane in two groups (P = 0.003) after supplementation. Three-month supplementation with CoQ10 in OAT infertile men can attenuate oxidative stress in seminal plasma and improve semen parameters and antioxidant enzymes activity.

Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males

To investigate the impact of Withania somnifera roots on semen profile, oxidative biomarkers, and reproductive hormone levels of infertile men. Prospective study. Departments of Biochemistry and Urology, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, India. Seventy-five normal healthy fertile men (control subjects) and 75 men undergoing infertility screening. High-performance liquid chromatography assay procedure for quantization of vitamin A and E in seminal plasma. Biochemical parameters in seminal plasma were estimated by standard spectrophotometric procedures. Estimation of T, LH, FSH, and PRL in blood serum by RIA methods. Before and after the treatment, seminal plasma biochemical parameters, antioxidant vitamins, and serum T, LH, FSH, and PRL levels were measured. Withania somnifera inhibited lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content and improved sperm count and motility. Treatment of infertile men recovered the seminal plasma levels of antioxidant enzymes and vitamins A, C, and E and corrected fructose. Moreover, treatment also significantly increased serum T and LH and reduced the levels of FSH and PRL. The treatment with W. somnifera effectively reduced oxidative stress, as assessed by decreased levels of various oxidants and improved level of diverse antioxidants. Moreover, the levels of T, LH, FSH and PRL, good indicators of semen quality, were also reversed in infertile subjects after treatment with the herbal preparation.

The assessment of oxidative stress in infertile patients with varicocele

To assess oxidative stress markers, antioxidant capacity and cytokines in seminal plasma from infertile patients with varicocele, and to investigate seminal oxidative status and sperm DNA damage after varicocelectomy. The records were retrospectively evaluated for 28 azoospermic, 30 oligospermic (15 with varicocele and 15 without) and 30 patients with normal semen characteristics (15 with varicocele and 15 without). The mean (sd) age of the men was 32.4 (5.6) years; all men with varicocele had a unilateral or bilateral microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy. The level of nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), hexanoyl-lysine (HEL), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in seminal plasma were measured. In addition, sperm DNA fragmentation was analysed before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. Azoospermic and oligospermic patients had a significantly higher HEL concentration and SOD activity in seminal plasma; those with varicocele had a significantly higher NO, HEL, and SOD activity in seminal plasma. There was a significant increase in sperm concentration and reduction in NO, HEL, 8-OHdG level and SOD activity after varicocelectomy. Oligospermic patients with varicocele had a significantly higher IL-6 level in seminal plasma, and there was a significant reduction after varicocelectomy. The percentage of apoptosis-positive sperm decreased significantly after varicocelectomy. This study indicates that the seminal plasma of patients with varicocele is under excessive oxidative stress, and partly even in patients with normospermia, and that varicocelectomy reduces oxidative stress in seminal plasma and ameliorates sperm DNA damage.

Detection of oxidative stress in seminal plasma and fractionated sperm from subfertile male patients

Objectives: Oxidative stress in the reproductive system is thought to affect the fertilizing ability of sperm. Since 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and lipid peroxides are widely used as markers to quantify oxidative stress, we compared 8-OHdG and lipid peroxide concentrations in seminal plasma and spermatozoa from subfertile and fertile men. Study design: Semen obtained from 37 men of subfertile couples (21 men with normozoospermia and 16 with asthenozoospermia) and from eight fertile volunteers were examined. Seminal plasma and spermatozoa were fractionated by four-step discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation. 8-OHdG in seminal plasma was measured by ELISA, and lipid peroxides in seminal plasma and spermatozoa were determined using a thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. Results: The concentrations of 8-OHdG and lipid peroxides in the seminal plasma of the subfertile group were significantly higher than those of the fertile group. There were no significant differences in these values between patients with normozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. In all four fractions obtained by Percoll gradient fractionation, the lipid peroxide levels in spermatozoa recovered from subfertile males were significantly higher than those of fertile controls. Conclusions: Seminal plasma and spermatozoa from subfertile males showed elevated levels of oxidative stress that were detectable in ejaculated semen specimens by ELISA or TBA assay. Even the spermatozoa fraction considered to be mature and normal showed elevated oxidative stress in the subfertile group. Our results confirm the importance of oxidative stress in male reproductive function, and could be applied for the selection of patients for antioxidant therapy.