Impact of Cu and Fe Concentrations on Oxidative Damage in Male Infertility

Abstract

Oxidative stress in the reproductive system is thought to have an effect on the fertilizing ability of sperm. The purpose of this study was to assess the interaction of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) ions in suspected subfertile and fertile male groups and to find out the relationships of the semen parameters (sperm count, motility, and abnormal morphology), glutathione, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species with these variables. Semen and blood obtained from 60 subfertile men and from 40 fertile volunteers were examined. The sperm count and motility in the subfertile male group were found lower than those in fertile male group (p < 0.001). Cu levels in serum and seminal plasma in the subfertile male group were significantly higher than those in the fertile male group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). There was also a significant increase in the Fe level of seminal plasma in the subfertile male group (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the Fe level of serum in the subfertile male group. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Cu and Fe might be mediators of the effects of oxidative damage and play an essential role in spermatogenesis and male infertility; the determination of Fe and Cu levels in serum and seminal plasma during infertility investigation is recommended.

Processed Meat Intake Is Unfavorably and Fish Intake Favorably Associated with Semen Quality Indicators among Men Attending a Fertility Clinic

“…For example, consuming 2 servings/wk of fish in lieu of 2 servings/wk of processed red meats was associated with an ;60% higher total normal count (95% CI: 17.9, 117.4). serum leads to decreased sperm motility and morphology (42,43) because of oxidative damage (44). Clearly, this intriguing association deserves further study.…”

Adverse Effects of Low Level Heavy Metal Exposure on Male Reproductive Function

“…Subanalyses found no differences between fertile and infertile men with respect to age, height, weight, smoking, or alcohol consumption. A study from Turkey collected blood and semen samples from 60 suspected subfertile men attending an infertility clinic and 40 volunteers with normal semen parameters, none of whom had common infertility disorders, drank alcohol, or smoked [Aydemir et al 2006]. Both serum copper (1115 mg/L vs. 941 mg/L) and seminal plasma copper (37 mg/L vs. 34 mg/L) levels were significantly higher in the subfertile group.…”

Hematological and hepatic alterations among copper mine workers and office employees in a copper mine in the west of Iran, 2015

“…Furthermore, Cu can bind directly to free thiols of cysteines (Cys), leading to oxidation and crosslinks between proteins, thus inactivating enzymes or impairing structural proteins (13). Cu induced ROS generation initiate apoptotic/necrotic processes or other pathologies like cancer, neurological diseases, and aging (14). It was found that, multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects had increased levels of Cu in their fluids or brain cells (15).…”