Male Genital Tract Antioxidant Enzymes: Their Source, Function in the Female, and Ability to Preserve Sperm DNA Integrity in the Golden Hamster

Abstract

Recently, we reported that male accessory sex gland (ASG) secretions protect sperm genomic integrity by demonstrating that DNA damage was more extensive in sperm not exposed to the secretions. The present study was conducted to find out if ASGs secrete the main antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx or GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) and if the most abundant one, SOD, can protect those sperm that were not exposed to ASG secretions against NADPH-induced oxidative stress. Four experimental groups of male golden hamsters were used: intact animals with proven fertility, animals with all major ASGs removed (TX), animals that were bilaterally vasectomized, and sham-operated controls. SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were measured in secretions from all 5 ASGs and sperm-free uterine flushing from virgin females and those mated with the experimental males. The alkaline comet assay was used to analyze DNA integrity of the TX group sperm after incubation in a medium containing 50 U/mL of SOD along with 0 to 20 mmol/L NADPH. The main antioxidant enzyme in ASGs was SOD from coagulating glands (P <.05) and GPx together with CAT from ampullary glands (P <.05). Uterine flushing of ejaculates that contained ASG secretions had more SOD and CAT activities than those with epididymal secretions alone (P <.05 and P <.001, respectively), whereas activity of GPx was the same (P >.05). Addition of SOD in vitro dose dependently decreased the incidence of single-strand DNA damage in sperm not exposed to ASG secretions incubated in the presence of 0 to 20 mmol/L NADPH (P <.001). These results indicated that, in terms of abundance, SOD was the main antioxidant enzyme secreted by male ASGs, whereas CAT was the second one. The GPx activity came from both epididymis and ASGs. We conclude that ASG secretions play a significant role in protecting sperm against oxidative stress.

Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase Activities in the Seminal Plasma of Normozoospermic and Asthenozoospermic Beagles

“…The mean percentages of motile sperm in MEM containing SOD and catalase were significantly higher than for the controls in MEM only after 2 or 3 hr of incubation (P<0.05). DISCUSSION SOD [6,8] and catalase [19,24] are very important antioxidant enzymes in seminal plasma [9,11]. An increase in the seminal plasma ROS concentration has been reported to cause poor semen quality in humans [1,16] and dogs [22], and low SOD [2] and catalase [24] activities in seminal plasma cause an increase in the ROS concentration.…”

“…69(2): 133-136, 2007 Seminal plasma is known to contain reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by testicular tissue [18] and sperm [2,20], and elevated seminal plasma ROS concentrations in both humans [1,16] and dogs [22] have been reported to be a cause of oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia. Low sperm motility and morphologically abnormal sperm occur as a result of sperm plasma membrane dysfunction caused by ROS [7].Superoxide dismutase (SOD) [2,6,9] and catalase [6,19,24] are the main antioxidant enzymes in seminal plasma that prevent increases in ROS concentration in seminal plasma and protect the sperm against damage and oxidative stress caused by ROS. The SOD [6,8,18] and catalase [17,24] in seminal plasma are produced by the testis, epididymis, accessory reproductive organs, and sperm, and they are able to maintain sperm motility for a long time [6,8].…”

“…Superoxide dismutase (SOD) [2,6,9] and catalase [6,19,24] are the main antioxidant enzymes in seminal plasma that prevent increases in ROS concentration in seminal plasma and protect the sperm against damage and oxidative stress caused by ROS. The SOD [6,8,18] and catalase [17,24] in seminal plasma are produced by the testis, epididymis, accessory reproductive organs, and sperm, and they are able to maintain sperm motility for a long time [6,8].…”

“…The SOD [6,8,18] and catalase [17,24] in seminal plasma are produced by the testis, epididymis, accessory reproductive organs, and sperm, and they are able to maintain sperm motility for a long time [6,8]. Seminal plasma SOD has been reported to have the same effect on canine sperm [5].…”

Lectin-binding sites in the seminal vesicles of entire and castrated horses

“…The seminal vesicles are accessory sex glands present in most domestic mammals; they synthesised copious amounts of glycoconjugates that are involved in many biological activities, contributing significantly to the final volume of seminal plasma (Chen et al 2003). These compounds are involved in the remodelling of the sperm surface, which occurs during sperm transit through the male genital tract, favouring their final maturation (Diekman 2003;Ha et al 2003;To¨pfer-Petersen et al 2005;Kankavi et al 2006).…”