Decreased activity of superoxide dismutase in the seminal plasma of infertile men correlates with increased sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation during the first hours after sperm donation

Abstract

Sperm DNA fragmentation varies between individuals and is more pronounced with increased patient age and time after sperm donation. The intensification of DNA fragmentation depends on the balance of the oxidoreductive system, which is regulated mainly by two enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation dynamics, fertility and seminal SOD and catalase activity. The study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 at the Non-Public Health Care Unit 'Ovum Reproduction and Andrology' in Lublin, Lublin, Poland, and covered 218 men aged 25-35 (85 fertile and 133 patients treated for infertility). Percentage of fragmented DNA was measured in a modified chromatin dispersion test at four time points after sperm donation (t = 0, 3, 6, 12 h). SOD and catalase activities were determined spectrophotometrically. We confirmed that the activity of SOD in the seminal plasma of men with reproductive disorders was lower compared with fertile men. Conversely, no significant correlations were found between fertility and catalase activity. Sperm DNA of infertile males was initially more fragmented than fertile male sperm DNA. SOD and catalase activity did not correlate with the degree of DNA fragmentation in fertile men. In men with reproductive disorders, the rate of DNA fragmentation was slow within first 3 h after sperm donation and then increased between 6 and 12 h. In this group of infertile men, those with higher SOD activity had a lower DNA fragmentation index (DFI) after 12 h, and a reduced rate of intensity of fragmentation from 6 to 12 h. Alternatively, higher catalase activity among men treated for infertility was accompanied by higher initial DFI and higher rate of DNA fragmentation from 6 to 12 h. These results highlight the importance of determining a proper time window between sperm donation and procedures of assisted reproductive technology.

Preventive effects ofAframomum meleguetaextracts on the reproductive complications of propylthiouracil‐induced hypothyroidism in male rat

“…Zelen et al () have reported a significant reduction of SOD and catalase activities along with increase in MDA content in seminal plasma of infertile men. Furthermore, a strong correlation was shown between the decreased activity of SOD and DNA fragmentation in the seminal plasma of infertile men (Wdowiak, Bakalczuk, & Bakalczuk, ). Alteration in testicular structure and functions in hypothyroid rats may then be due to the increase in MDA (marker of lipid peroxidation) along with the decrease in catalase and SOD activities reported in this work.…”

The association of a probiotic with a prebiotic (Flortec, Bracco) to improve the quality/quantity of spermatozoa in infertile patients with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia: a pilot study

“…DNA fragmentation was assessed using the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test (Wdowiak et al, 2015) in four patients treated with the active drug, and in four treated with the control substance. Five of the 20 patients treated with the active drug fathered a child, whereas no control substance-treated patient fathered a child.…”

“…Five of the 20 patients treated with the active drug fathered a child, whereas no control substance-treated patient fathered a child. DNA fragmentation was assessed using the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test (Wdowiak et al, 2015) in four patients treated with the active drug, and in four treated with the control substance. The SCD test data showed significant improvement in all the patients treated with Flortec (percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA before Floretec administration: 45%, 39%, 44%, 65%; percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA after Flortec administration: 22%, 25%, 20%, 21%), while the data did not significantly change in the patients who assumed the control substance (percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA before starch administration: 49%, 48%, 62%, 58%; percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA after starch administration: 41%, 45%, 66%, 55%).…”

DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa: a historical review

“…Furthermore, an increasing interest has supervened regarding the types of fragmentations present in the DNA (Wei et al ., ) and how DNA fragmentation can be reduced in cryopreservation (Ghorbani et al ., ; Kably‐Ambe et al ., ; Simonenko et al ., ). Recent papers have shown a possible correlation between an increased amount of DNA fragmentation and some of the natural antioxidants present in the seminal plasma like superoxide dismutase (Wdowiak et al ., ) and glutathione peroxidase (Dorostghoal et al ., ).…”