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The levels of reactive oxygen species were compared in semen specimens from suspected subfertile men and from normal volunteers, and correlated with other semen parameters. Reactive oxygen species formation was measured in semen samples that had no white blood cells by a chemiluminescence assay with a Luminometer. The relationship of seminal reactive oxygen species to several sperm parameters was evaluated. A total of 84 specimens from 69 suspected subfertile men and 15 normal volunteers was tested for reactive oxygen species production. Comparison of reactive oxygen species levels in white blood cell-negative patient and donor specimens showed significantly higher values (p < 0.005) in the patient group. Similarly, levels in patient and donor specimens with normal sperm motility were significantly lower (p < 0.005) than those in specimens showing poor motility. The seminal reactive oxygen species levels of white blood cell-negative patients with abnormal morphology were significantly higher (p < 0.005) than those in white blood cell-negative patients with normal morphology. Our results show that seminal reactive oxygen species levels in suspected subfertile men are significantly higher than in normal men, and that the presence of excess reactive oxygen species in semen is positively correlated with low sperm concentration, poor motility and poor morphology. In conclusion, the evaluation of reactive oxygen species levels in cases of idiopathic male infertility could serve as an important marker of sperm dysfunction.

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