Oxidation–reduction potential and sperm DNA fragmentation, and their associations with sperm morphological anomalies amongst fertile and infertile men

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess seminal oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in male infertility and their relationships with sperm morphology in fertile and infertile men.Patients and methodsProspective case-control study comparing the findings of infertile men (n = 1168) to those of men with confirmed fertility (n = 100) regarding demographics and semen characteristics (conventional and advanced semen tests). Spearman rank correlation assessed the correlation between ORP, SDF, and different morphological indices. Means of ORP and SDF were assessed in variable levels of normal sperm morphology amongst all participants.ResultsInfertile patients had a significantly lower mean sperm count (32.7 vs 58.7 × 106 sperm/mL), total motility (50.1% vs 60.4%), and normal morphology (5.7% vs 9.9%). Conversely, infertile patients had significantly higher mean head defects (54% vs 48%), and higher ORP and SDF values than fertile controls. ORP and SDF showed significant positive correlations and significant negative correlations with sperm head defects and normal morphology in infertile patients, respectively. ORP and SDF were significantly inversely associated with the level of normal sperm morphology. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, ORP and SDF threshold values of 1.73 mV/106 sperm/mL and 25.5%, respectively, were associated with 76% and 56% sensitivity and 72% and 72.2% specificity, respectively, in differentiating <4% from ≥4% normal morphology.ConclusionA direct inverse relationship exists between seminal ORP and SDF with various levels of normal sperm morphology. Using ORP and SDF measures in conjunction with standard semen morphology analysis could validate the result of the fertility status of patients.

Evaluation of Sperm DNA Fragmentation amongst Infertile Black Africans. A Nigerian Study

“…First, and most importantly, the prevalence of SDFI ≥25% was generally higher than that of SDFI <25% among the study subjects. The mean sperm DNA fragmentation of 34.5% reported in this study is higher than the 27.6% reported by Majzoub et al, in a Qatari study[29]. Fragmentation of sperm DNA is multifactorial, ranging from social habits, lifestyle and systemic illness such as diabetes among others.…”

Oxidative stress and sperm function: A systematic review on evaluation and management

“…In our study, the ORP and sperm DNA fragmentation showed significant positive and significant negative correlations with sperm head defects and normal morphology in infertile men, respectively. Moreover, ORP and sperm DNA fragmentation were inversely associated with the level of normal sperm morphology (both P < 0.001) [66].…”

The higher risk for sperm DNA damage in infertile men

“…Marchlewska et al [19] reported that men from infertile couples had 28.00% spermatozoa with SDF. Majzoub et al [20] revealed significant differences in SDF between infertile and fertile men (mean: 27.60 ± 1.02% vs 15.68 ± 0.92%). In turn, Wiweko and Utami [9] demonstrated not only significant differences in SDF between infertile and fertile men (median 29.9% vs 19.9%) but also the ability of SDF to diagnose male infertility by an ROC curve.…”

“…Additionally, Khadem et al [24] showed a significant correlation between SDF and sperm cell motility and morphology (r = -0.613 and r = -0.764, respectively). Moreover, Majoub et al [20] presented relationships between SDF and normal sperm morphology in groups of infertile and fertile men (r s = -0.351 and r s = -0.257, respectively), especially with head defects (r s = 0.438 and r s = 0.366, respectively). Similarly, Fortunato et al [27] found a correlation between SDF and the percentage of normal sperm cells formed and multiple morphological abnormalities (r = -0.283 and r = 0.233, respectively).…”