Impact of oxidative stress on semen parameters in normozoospermic infertile men: a case–control study

Abstract

Background Oxidative stress has been implicated in male infertility through decrease in sperm quality. However, men with normal semen parameters (normozoospermia) may be unable to fertilize their partners even when they have normal sperm function. Thus, they would be considered infertile. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of unexplained male infertility. Methods In this case–control study, infertile men with normozoospermia (n = 46) and fertile control group (n = 21) underwent seminal fluid analyses according to WHO 2010 criteria. Serum and seminal plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione, malondialdehyde, uric acid and albumin were also measured using colorimetric methods. Results The level of total antioxidant capacity in both serum and seminal plasma was significantly lower in normozoospermic infertile men in comparison with fertile group (p < 0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed in serum and seminal plasma levels of glutathione, uric acid, albumin and malondialdehyde between infertile and fertile groups. Conclusion Low TAC level induces oxidative stress and consequently causes sperm dysfunction and male infertility. Estimation of TAC can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of male infertility. Antioxidant supplementation should be considered in the treatment of oxidative stress-induced male infertility.

Alteration of Some Sperm Proteins, Anti-oxidants, and Prostate-specific Antigen in the Seminal Plasma of Bacteriospermic Infertile Males

“…The non-significant differences observed in sperm volume and pH of the control subjects compared against the infertile subjects with bacterial infection (Table 2) is in line with the findings of Palani & Alahmar [22]. They also reported no significant difference in the ejaculatory volume of semen of bacterial-infected infertile males and control.…”

Does Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improve Testicular Function and Spermatogenesis in Male Mice with Chronic Kidney Disease?

“…Adequate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) maintain the normal function of sperm [ 7 ], but ROS overproduction depletes the levels of antioxidants, increases oxidative stress, damages the structure and quality of sperm cells, and consequently causes infertility [ 8 , 9 ]. In addition, lower total antioxidant activities [ 10 ] and higher levels of ROS [ 11 ] have been identified in semen from infertile men compared with that from fertile men.…”

Dysregulated serum and seminal plasma levels of surfactant protein D and MCP‐1 in men with genital tract infection/inflammation

“…In nearly 25% of male infertility cases, men have demonstrated normal sperm parameters but are still unable to father a child, which is termed unexplained infertility. 51,52 A recent Indian study reported 33.33% men with unexplained infertility. 53 Microbiological analysis of infertile couples (n = 285) with normal sperm count/ motility showed that 46.3% presented with an asymptomatic genital tract infection.…”

“…The study highlights that the males with genital infection/inflammation showed lower SP‐D levels, possibly due to their engagement at the site of infection, enhanced elastase levels and altered T/E ratio. In nearly 25% of male infertility cases, men have demonstrated normal sperm parameters but are still unable to father a child, which is termed unexplained infertility 51,52 . A recent Indian study reported 33.33% men with unexplained infertility 53 .…”