A multicenter study to evaluate oxidative stress by oxidation–reduction potential, a reliable and reproducible method

Abstract

Seminal oxidative stress (OS) is well-known to affect male fertility status. The discrepancy in OS measurement has hindered its clinical use as a quality indicator for semen. Some tests measured single markers of oxidants or reductants, leading to lack of standardization of results. Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) is a better representative for OS as it provides an overall measure of the activity of both oxidants and reductants. ORP assessment by MiOXSYS has been introduced as a measure of OS with high specificity in differentiating fertile from infertile semen samples. This is a retrospective study comparing data from semen analysis and ORP measurements between two andrology laboratories in the USA and Qatar over a period of 12 months. The same protocol was followed by both laboratories. The USA dataset contained 194 patients and 51 fertile donors, while the Qatar dataset contained 400 patients and 50 fertile donors. In both datasets and in the combined dataset, the infertile group had significantly lower sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, and normal morphology as well as higher ORP levels compared to fertile men (p< 0.05). When comparing data from both centers, the infertile group showed significant difference between both datasets regarding progressive motility and morphology (p < 0.001). Also, the percentage of patients with abnormal semen volume, sperm count, total and progressive motility were significantly different between both datasets (p < 0.05). ORP levels showed no significant difference between both datasets (p < 0.08). ROC analysis indicated that ORP cutoff value of 1.42 mV/10 /mL in the USA group, Qatar group, and combined dataset can accurately differentiate fertile from infertile semen groups. Although other semen parameters showed significant differences between the two centers, ORP remained consistent in both datasets individually or in combined data. This proves its reproducibility and reliability.

Oxidation-reduction potential as a new marker for oxidative stress: Correlation to male infertility

“…It is specifically calibrated to detect human sperm at 0.1–400 mV. Requiring only 30 µL of sample volume and less than 5 minutes for the entire procedure, the MiOXSYS System yields an ORP value with a high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy [ 53 54 55 56 57 58 ]. Fresh or frozen semen and seminal plasma can be also be evaluated [ 59 ].…”

“…To further test ORP's consistency, a number of studies have used the MiOXSYS System in different ethnic populations at different geographical locations. Agarwal et al [ 57 ] conducted a multicenter retrospective study that compared data from 2 andrology laboratories located in the USA and Qatar for 12 months. Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA, recruited 51 healthy fertile controls and 194 infertile patients.…”

Oxidation reduction potential: a new biomarker of male infertility

“…it takes about 2 minutes for the sample to be Table II.-Clinical studies in male fertility with ORP measurements by MiOXSYS ® . 86,87,[96][97][98] reference Population Findings agarwal 86 • Healthy male volunteers (n.=26)…”

“…• OrP levels were higher in patient group compared with nZ • OrP has high predictive power for OZ patients • a cut-off of 2.59 mv/10 6 sperm from infertile men with OZ agarwal 98 Two andrology centers:…”

“…information about the different studies performed on OrP can be found in Table ii. 86,87,[96][97][98]…”