Catalase activity in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma

Abstract

Catalase activity was determined in human semen by measuring the oxygen burst with a Clark electrode, after H2O2 addition. Significant catalase activities (mean +/- SD) were found in migrated, motile spermatozoa (44 +/- 17 nmoles O2/min/10(8) cells) and in seminal plasma of normozoospermic men (129 +/- 59 nmoles O2/min/ml). It has been demonstrated that seminal catalase originated from prostate; however, its activity was not correlated with the usual prostatic markers (such as citric acid and zinc). Our data suggest a multiglandular function secreted by this organ. The catalase activities measured in seminal samples from asthenozoospermic, infertile men were found lower than those from normozoospermic subjects. The understanding of the relative contribution of the different enzyme systems against O2 toxicity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) seem to be a priority area of research to understand disturbances of sperm function.

Physiological and Pathological Roles of Free Radicals in Male Reproduction

“…In semen, the enzyme was detected in human, bovine and rat spermatozoa, as well as seminal plasma, with the prostate as its source [97,98].…”

Functional aspects of seminal plasma and sperm proteins and their potential as molecularmarkers of fertility

“…Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is part of sperm physiology (MacLeod, 1943) but, when in excess, ROS disturb sperm homeostasis through formation of lipid peroxidation, and reduction of enzymes that regulate calcium influx and loss of ATP (Ohta et al, 1989;Aitken et al, 1993). To control the deleterious effects of ROS, epididymis secretes antioxidant enzymes (Hinton et al, 1996), such as glutathione S-transferase, tioredoxin peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (Alvarez and Storey, 1983;Jeulin et al, 1989;Fouchécourt et al, 2000;Dacheux et al, 2006). GSHPx is one the main enzymes that protects sperm (Perry et al, 1992;Dacheux et al, 2005) and it catalyzes the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (Halliwell and Gutteridge, 1990).…”

Low NRF2 mRNA Expression in Spermatozoa from Men with Low Sperm Motility

“…These include vitamins C and E, the antioxidant tripeptide glutathione (GSH), and ROS scavenging enzymes, such as superoxide dismutases (SODs), glutathione S-transferase (GSTs), and catalase (CAT) (Jeulin et al 1989;Aitken et al 1996;Mukherjee et al 1999;Hemachand et al 2002;Hanukoglu 2006). In human semen, SOD isoenzymes can scavenge both intracellular and extracellular superoxide radicals and prevent lipid peroxidation of the plasma membrane (Aitken et al 1996).…”

“…GSTs exist in the testis and seminiferous tubule fluid (Mukherjee et al 1999;Hemachand et al 2002), where they are thought to take part in detoxification and protective processes. Seminal catalase catalyzes the degradation of H 2 O 2 to oxygen and water, and it is involved in modulation of the levels of ROS to maintain normal sperm function and protect spermatozoa from potential toxic ROS (Jeulin et al 1989).…”