Evaluation of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants in seminal plasma of men with genitourinary infections, varicocele and idiopathic infertility

Abstract

SUMMARYThis study was aimed to assess the antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds in semen of infertile men. Seventy-four infertile patients were grouped according to their clinical diagnosis: genitourinary infection, varicocele, idiopathic infertility. Semen samples of fertile men represent the control. Semen characteristics were evaluated by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data was quantified with a mathematical formula, which provides numerical scores. Spectrophotometric and HPLC methods were used to measure the amount of reduced (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG), ascorbic acid (AA) and malondialdehyde (MDA, marker of lipid peroxidation) and the activity of glutathione reductase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase. Infertile groups showed significantly decreased values of sperm parameters vs. controls. In infection and varicocele groups, the seminal MDA levels were significantly increased when compared to controls (p < 0.001), indicating an alteration of oxidative status and a peroxidative damage. In infection and varicocele groups, AA levels were reduced (p < 0.05) vs. control; in the varicocele group, the GSH levels were also decreased (p < 0.05). Significantly higher CAT activity was observed in infection and varicocele groups vs. fertile men (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 respectively). The GSH/GSSG ratio was significantly decreased in varicocele and idiopathic infertility groups vs. control (p < 0.01). The study of the alteration of a single parameter of oxidative stress or of the antioxidant system may not have a relevant clinical value to estimate male fertilising potential and the background of infertility causes, since complex and multifactorial mechanisms are involved in different pathologies. In our study, each pathology is characterised by a definite pattern of markers such as MDA and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds. In the different pathologies related to infertility, the identification of the complex of involved parameters could be useful in the diagnosis, prognosis and in the choice of a possible treatment such as specific antioxidant supplements.

One‐carbon cycle support rescues sperm damage in experimentally induced varicocoele in rats

“…The lipid peroxidation of the membrane and the rate of aniline blue-positive spermatozoa was significantly higher in the '2-months varicocoele group' compared to the controlsham groups. This result further reiterates on increased ROS production and altered chromatin maturity with varicocoele, as also reported in men [13,35,36]. Moreover, we found a non-significantly more sperm DNA fragmentation after varicocoele induction compared to the control-sham groups.…”

The relationships between changes in main biochemical parameters in sperm cells of infertile men

“…As a result of this analysis, it can be stated that GSH / GSSG system status in the leukocytospermic samples does not undergo significant changes, since this group of patients was in a single cluster with the fertile normozoospermic men. The results are confirmed by data from other researchers who found that maintaining of GSH / GSSG homeostasis in spermatozoa of the infertile men with an infectious factor was associated with a "sparing effect" caused by other nonenzymatic antioxidants, in particular vitamin C [10]. Similar distribution by clusters was obtained by indices of the oxidative manifestations ( Fig.…”

Cytosolic phospholipase A 2 and F 2 isoprostanes are involved in semen quality and human infertility—A study on leucocytospermia, varicocele and idiopathic infertility

“…Varicocele group, as previously reported, was characterised by an elevate percentage of sperm immaturity (Collodel et al, 2018). Previously, sperm immaturity, necrosis and apoptosis were correlated to malondialdehyde and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant molecules in patients with varicocele, idiopathic infertility and genitourinary infections (Micheli et al, 2016).…”

“…In our field of expertise, semen parameters were evaluated as previously reported (Micheli et al, 2016). Samples were collected by masturbation after 3-5 days of sexual abstinence.…”