Blood Serum and Seminal Plasma Selenium, Total Antioxidant Capacity and Coenzyme Q10 Levels in Relation to Semen Parameters in Men with Idiopathic Infertility

Abstract

In this case-control study, we aimed to evaluate the serum and seminal plasma levels of Selenium (Se), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) and determine their relationship with sperm concentration, motility, and morphology in men with idiopathic infertility. A total of 59 subjects were enrolled in the study. Forty four patients were diagnosed with idiopathic male infertility and had abnormal sperm parameters, and 15 subjects had normal sperm parameters with proven fertility. Serum Se, semen Se, and semen TAC levels were significantly different in the fertile and infertile groups (p<0.01, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). However, serum TAC, serum, and seminal plasma CoQ-10 levels did not differ between fertile and infertile groups. When the levels of the measured parameters were compared in serum and seminal plasma, serum levels of Se were found to be correlated positively with the semen levels in all subjects included into the study (N=59) (r=0.46, p<0.01). A relationship was found between neither serum and semen levels of TAC nor between serum and semen levels of CoQ-10. Correlations among measured serum and semen parameters with sperm parameters demonstrated that both the serum and semen levels of Se were correlated positively with spermatozoa concentration, motility, and morphology. Additionally, seminal plasma levels of TAC correlated positively with all these sperm parameters. On the other hand, seminal plasma levels of CoQ-10 correlated only with sperm morphology but not with concentration or motility. No relationship was observed between serum levels of TAC or serum levels of CoQ-10 and sperm parameters. In conclusion, serum and seminal plasma Se deficiency may be a prominent determinant of abnormal sperm parameters and idiopathic male infertility. Measurement of serum Se levels may help determine nutritional status and antioxidant capacity in infertile patients, which may help distinguish those patients who will benefit from supplementation therapy.

Estimation of endogenous levels of osteopontin, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde in seminal plasma: Application for fertility assessment in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls

“…An alternative approach is to measure TAC of seminal plasma which is simple and cost‐effective. The determination of seminal TAC has been proven to be relevant in humans for fertility assessment (Eroglu et al., ; Khosravi et al. 2104).…”

“…An alternative approach is to measure TAC of seminal plasma which is simple and cost-effective. The determination of seminal TAC has been proven to be relevant in humans for fertility assessment (Eroglu et al, 2014;Khosravi et al 2104). In the current study, we measured seminal TAC level and found that TAC of high-fertile bulls was significantly higher than that of subfertile bulls and positively correlated with bull fertility.…”

Analysis of the relationship between the blood concentration of several metals, macro- and micronutrients and endocrine disorders associated with male aging

“…Selenium (Se) is a trace element with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and reduces the risk of cancer, including prostate cancer (Christensen 2014). Infertile men have lower Se concentrations in seminal plasma, and positive correlations exist between sperm parameters and serum Se levels (Eroglu et al 2014;Turk et al 2014).…”

The role of imbalance between urinary hexanoyl-lysine and total antioxidant capacity levels and its relation to plasma superoxide dismutase levels in autism spectrum disorder

“…Thus, deficits in antioxidant capacity may important in the etiology of ASD. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in urine and plasma is a parameter used to characterize the antioxidant status of the body [8,9]. Recent studies in ASD have shown significantly reduced urinary levels of TAC, indicating increased vulnerability to oxidative damage [6], and significantly higher urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) [10].…”