The aim of the study was to evaluate the parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in relation to the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in patients diagnosed with oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. Based on the basic parameters of the spermogram, the examined group (n = 243) was divided into three groups: oligospermic group (sperm count less than 15 × 106/ml) consisting of 152 men, astenozoospermic group (less than 40% of progressively moving sperm cells) consisting of 142 men, and oligoastenozoospermic group (both criteria met) consisting of 90 men. The control group consisted of 103 males with normal semen profile according to the WHO criteria. Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in seminal plasma and spermatozoa lysate was significantly lower by 12% and 22%, respectively, in males with oligospermia than in the control group. Analogically, Mn-SOD activity in spermatozoa lysate was significantly lower in males with oligospermia, asthenospermia, and oligoasthenospermia by 44%, 32%, and 45%, respectively. By contrast, CuZn-SOD activity in spermatozoa lysate was significantly higher in males with oligospermia by 60%. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in seminal plasma was also significantly higher in males with oligospermia and oligoasthenospermia by 56% and 78%, respectively. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in seminal plasma was significantly higher in males with asthenospermia than in the control group by 12%. By contrast, the level of MDA in spermatozoa lysate was significantly lower in males with oligospermia, asthenospermia, and oligoasthenospermia by 26%, 20%, and 26%, respectively. The level of interleukin- (IL-) 8 in seminal plasma was significantly higher in males with asthenospermia and oligoasthenospermia by 64% and 67%, respectively. Abnormalities in spermogram, such as oligospermia, asthenospermia, and oligoasthenospermia, may be related to a decreased activity of Mn-SOD in spermatozoa and increased levels of chemokines in seminal plasma.

The aim of the study was to determine the total oxidant status (TOS) and evaluate the influence of oxidative stress on sperm quality in fertile males. The study population consisted of 55 fertile males. Based on the seminal plasma TOS value, the study subjects were divided into the two subgroups: a group with a low (TOS-L) and a high (TOS-H) value. Comparing the TOS-H group with the TOS-L group, we found poorer sperm motility in the TOS-H group. We found lower total antioxidant capacity values and lower activity levels in the majority of the determined superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Further, we found higher levels of copper and iron as well as lower levels of zinc in the TOS-H group. We observed lower medians of IL-2, 4, 6, 8 and INF-γ in the TOS-H group compared with the TOS-L group, whereas the medians of IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-12 were significantly higher. In fertile males, higher oxidative stress intensity was associated with poorer semen quality and decreased antioxidant capacity in semen. These negative effects might be a result of decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes and altered levels of trace metals and cytokines.

No abstract

Na przestrzeni ostatnich 40 lat spadła jakość nasienia męskiego, w tym m.in. liczba plemników. U podstaw tego zjawiska leży wiele przyczyn, wśród których wymienia się ekspozycję zawodową i środowiskową na metale ciężkie, m.in. na kadm, ołów, rtęć i arsen. Duże znaczenie ma również zanieczyszczona mykotoksynami i pestycydami żywność, wpływ chemikaliów przemysłowych, palenie papierosów i czynniki endokrynologiczne. Niniejsza praca stanowi omówienie problemu na podstawie piśmiennictwa z ostatnich kilku lat na temat roli metali fizjologicznie występujących w nasieniu oraz wpływu metali ciężkich na obniżenie płodności męskiej.