Seminal Plasma Proteomic Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress

Abstract

The prevalence of idiopathic male infertility is high, up to 75% of patients with abnormal sperm parameters. Hence, the research of its causes is mandatory. Oxidative stress (OS) can be responsible for male infertility in 30–80% of cases. In recent years, seminal plasma (SP) proteomics has developed as a useful tool to provide biomarkers of specific diseases. This systematic review aims to collect the available evidence on the changes of SP proteome in patients exposed to OS to provide possible SP biomarkers of sperm OS. To accomplish this, the following keyterms “seminal fluid proteome”, “seminal plasma proteome”, “oxidative stress”, and “sperm oxidative stress” were used and 137 records were found. Among these, 17 were finally included. Nine proteins involved with OS were found overexpressed in patients with OS. Twenty-three proteins were found differentially expressed in patients with clinical conditions associated with OS, such as varicocele, male accessory gland infection/inflammation, cigarette smoke, and obesity. These proteins do not seem to overlap among the clinical conditions taken into account. We speculate that specific SP proteins may mediate OS in different clinical conditions. Altogether, these results suggest that proteomics could help to better understand some of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of infertility. However, further studies are needed to identify potential biomarkers of male infertility with valuable clinical significance.

Fatty Acid Oxidation and Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators Are Related to Male Infertility

“…Seminal inflammation may not be easily discovered and evaluation of OS or the presence of positive semen culture may not be sufficient for the diagnosis [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Many seminal diseases are supposed to be related to the presence of inflammatory status and identifying semen markers of inflammation is important for the diagnostic-therapeutic management of male infertility [ 16 ].…”

“…The high content of PUFAs in the sperm plasma membrane, makes them susceptible to lipid peroxidation in presence of oxidative stress (OS) [ 13 ]. Male infertility may be due to an inflammation-mediated OS including varicocele, tobacco usage, alcohol, obesity/metabolic syndrome, leukocytospermia, sexually transmitted disease, bacterial prostatitis, and viral infections [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Inflammation status may be associated also with idiopathic infertility [ 18 ].…”

Exploratory Analysis in the Differences in Blood Serum and Seminal Plasma of Adipose-Tissue Related Peptides in Obese and Non-Obese Men and Their Correlations With Semen Parameters

“…as occurs in asymptomatic MAGIs) and oxidative stress (as i.e. interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8) ( 55 ) could be useful to better clarify if in the male obesity, accessory glands secretory function may be also altered. Although some treatments are already available ( 56 ), future studies are mandatory to investigate the function of molecules, such as visfatin, PAI-1, GIP and GLP-1, or the function of their receptors in the spermatogenesis and the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena.…”

The Relationship between Seminal Fluid Hyperviscosity and Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review

“…An increase in oxidative stress plays a main role in a variety of diseases, including infertility. Oxidative stress can also alter the seminal plasma proteome [50]. Thus, specific proteins can be overexpressed in patients with diseases characterized by increased levels of oxidative stress in the seminal fluid [50].…”

“…Oxidative stress can also alter the seminal plasma proteome [50]. Thus, specific proteins can be overexpressed in patients with diseases characterized by increased levels of oxidative stress in the seminal fluid [50]. Accordingly, it is noteworthy that some seminal plasma proteins have been suggested as possible markers of the damage caused by oxidative stress in infertile patients [50].…”