Simultaneous measurement of sperm LDH, LDH‐X, CPK activities and ATP content in normospermic and oligozoospermic men

Abstract

Total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), LDH-X, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities and ATP content were measured in washed spermatozoa from 188 normospermic and 94 oligozoospermic men. These four biochemical parameters were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in spermatozoa from oligozoospermic men than in those from normospermic men and were related inversely to sperm concentration. In oligozoospermic men the activity of sperm LDH and LDH-X was related significantly to sperm CPK activity (r = 0.5486 and r = 0.4442, respectively), whereas this relationship was less evident in normospermic men (r = 0.4124 and r = 0.3844, respectively). Sperm ATP content was related weakly to sperm LDH, LDH-X and CPK activities both in oligozoospermic and normospermic men. After separation on a discontinuous (40% and 80%) Percoll gradient LDH, LDH-X, CPK activities and ATP content in 80% separated sperm fractions from 48 normospermic and 30 oligozoospermic men were found to be significantly lower than in the initial semen sample in both groups of subjects. The 80% separated sperm fractions from oligozoospermic and normospermic men did not differ in their LDH or LDH-X activities or ATP content, whereas sperm CPK activity was still significantly higher in oligozoospermic men. These data suggest that, of the four parameters studied, high levels of intracellular CPK activity are the most relevant biochemical feature of spermatozoa from oligozoospermic men.

Novel Insights into DNA Methylation Features in Spermatozoa: Stability and Peculiarities

“…These data indicate that in normozoospermic men, the global DNA methylation profile is not affected significantly by structural and functional differences between sperm subpopulations. The extensive conservation of the DNA methylation status is especially surprising if we consider that differences have been described also at the metabolic level of “poor” quality spermatozoa which could theoretically influence the DNA methylation process [7], [8].…”

“…The rationale behind selection is mainly related to a predicted higher functional competency and a higher genomic integrity of selected spermatozoa. Interestingly enough, despite the same testicular environment, biochemical markers [7], [8] as well as DNA integrity [9]–[12] show differences in distinct sperm fractions belonging to the same individual. It is still unknown whether these fractions also show differences in their methylation level.…”

Evaluation of LDH Activity and Its Relationship with Fructose Levels in Seminal Plasma of Normospermic and Asthenospermic Males

“…Orlando et al evaluated total LDH and LDH-C 4 activity in normospermic and oligospermic males and reported that the activity of total LDH was 2.2 times higher in oligospermic males than in normospermic males. They also reported a negative correlation between LDH activity and sperm concentration (35). Noguera et al found that LDH-C 4 activity level differs significantly between fertile and infertile males (36).…”

Relationship of sperm superoxide dismutase-like activity with other sperm-specific enzymes and experimentally induced lipid peroxidation in infertile men

“…lactate dehydrogenase-C4 isoenzyme (Casano et al, 1991;Orlando et al, 1994) and NADH-diaphorase (Gavella & Lipovac, 1992, Gavella et al, 1995, and (ii) to investigate the physiological relevance of SODlike activity in human spermatozoa, by examining its relationship with experimentally-induced lipid peroxidation. lactate dehydrogenase-C4 isoenzyme (Casano et al, 1991;Orlando et al, 1994) and NADH-diaphorase (Gavella & Lipovac, 1992, Gavella et al, 1995, and (ii) to investigate the physiological relevance of SODlike activity in human spermatozoa, by examining its relationship with experimentally-induced lipid peroxidation.…”