Relation between semen oxidative reduction potential in initial semen examination and IVF outcomes

Abstract

Purpose The MiOXSYS system is a new technique to analyze the semen oxidative reduction potential (ORP) that may use to classify the level of sperm DNA integrity. It does not clearly explain how the semen ORP values could help to change the IVF outcomes. We have analyzed correlations between semen ORP value and the IVF results. Methods Four hundred and thirty couples were enrolled. The male counterparts were divided into two groups according to their semen ORP values and compared the fertilization rate, cell cleavage rate, and embryo quality, following the IVF procedures. The relations between ORP values and the clinical pregnancy, live birth, and abortion rates were analyzed. Results The ORP values show negative and positive correlations with some conventional semen parameters. The fertilization and the cleavage rate did not show any differences in those two groups, but the transferable embryo rate was significantly high in patients with high semen ORP. However, the patients with high ORP show a tendency to lower clinical pregnancy with a low abortion rate compared to the low ORP group. Conclusion The main purpose of measuring the ORP value in semen is still questionable and shows controversial results.

Sperm DNA integrity: a special issue exploring the causes, consequences, and treatment of DNA damage in human spermatozoa

“…Diagnostic methods such as the MiOXSYS ® and OxiSperm ® II have been developed commercially, however neither of these assays appears to provide any meaningful assessment of oxidative stress in spermatozoa, as revealed by Castleton et al. and others 10–13 . Moreover, Kuroda et al 14 .…”

“…9 Diagnostic methods such as the MiOXSYS ® and OxiSperm ® II have been developed commercially, however neither of these assays appears to provide any meaningful assessment of oxidative stress in spermatozoa, as revealed by Castleton et al and others. [10][11][12][13] Moreover, Kuroda et al 14 observed no significant correlation between sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress as measured by the MiOXSYS ® system, despite the abundance of data revealing the fundamental importance of free radical attack in the induction of sperm DNA fragmentation. 15 Clearly, improved methods are needed to detect oxidative stress in patients presenting with high levels of sperm DNA damage.…”

Oxidative Stress and Acrosomal Status of Human Spermatozoa Subjected to Hydrophobic Carbon Soot Treatments

“…Mature (reproductively active) spermatozoa are those characterized by progressive motility, normal morphology, intact acrosome, DNA integrity and physiological oxidative–reductive balance [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The presence of forward-moving male gametes is a precondition for successful completion of the long travel distance through the female reproductive tract to the oviduct (fallopian tube), in whose widest part (ampulla) the fertilization takes place [ 10 ].…”

“…During this journey, the “functionally competent” spermatozoon overcomes various obstacles prior to reaching the extracellular matrix of the oocyte, where destabilization of the sperm head occurs [ 7 ], inducing rupture of its membrane-bound organelle (acrosome) and leakage of lysine that cleaves the oocyte’s outer wall (Zona Pellucida), as a first step of the sperm–oocyte fusion [ 8 ]. Nevertheless, the mature spermatozoa are vulnerable to oxidative stress caused by imbalance between the free radicals (reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen) and antioxidants in the semen, leading to non-specific modification of the unsaturated fatty acids located at the cell membrane [ 9 , 11 ]. Moreover, the high levels of ROS may also inflict sperm DNA fragmentation [ 9 , 12 ], which in turn could delay the blastulation rate (early embryo development) and increase the risk of miscarriage [ 13 , 14 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, the mature spermatozoa are vulnerable to oxidative stress caused by imbalance between the free radicals (reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen) and antioxidants in the semen, leading to non-specific modification of the unsaturated fatty acids located at the cell membrane [ 9 , 11 ]. Moreover, the high levels of ROS may also inflict sperm DNA fragmentation [ 9 , 12 ], which in turn could delay the blastulation rate (early embryo development) and increase the risk of miscarriage [ 13 , 14 ].…”