ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of seminal redox status on lipid peroxidation (LPO), apoptosis and integrity of sperm DNA in infertile males. Methods: In this case-control study, the total antioxidant status (TAS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed within the seminal plasma of fertile normozoospermic, n=40 and infertile (asthenozoospermic, n=30; oligoasthenoteratozoospermic, n=30) males. Additionally, the level of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activity were estimated in the spermatozoa. RESULTS: Significantly (p less than 0.001) increased seminal ROS level with decreased TAS scores was observed in the infertile groups compared to normozoospermics. The infertile males showed marked elevated (p less than 0.001) levels of 4-HNE, DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity compared to normozoospermics, which was positively correlated to increased seminal ROS levels and negatively to the TAS score in the studied groups. Seminal ROS level was significantly inverse correlated to the semen parameters. Additionally, a strong negative correlation between DNA fragmentation, LPO, caspase-3activity and seminal parameters were observed. Conclusion: Seminal oxidative stress is a potential risk factor for LPO, DNA damage, and apoptosis in spermatozoa, which can affect semen quality and male fertility. Thus, in addition to conventional seminological parameters, measurement of seminal oxidative stress and sperm DNA integrity may also be employed to investigate the functional integrity of spermatozoa at the molecular level.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis , DNA Fragmentation , Infertility, Male/genetics , Infertility, Male/metabolism , Lipid Peroxidation , Oxidative Stress , Semen/metabolism , Spermatozoa/metabolism , Spermatozoa/pathology , Aldehydes/metabolism , Antioxidants/metabolism , Caspase 3/metabolism , Humans , Infertility, Male/pathology , Male , Oxidation-Reduction , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Risk Factors , Saudi ArabiaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) remains the first thought of infertility treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare the stimulation effects and Pregnancy rate (PR) outcomes of two ovulation induction (OI) medications, human-derived menopausal gonadotrophins (hMGH), Merional (MER), and recombinant follicular stimulating hormone (rFSH), Puregon (PUR), in a cohort of Saudi infertile patients, for better predictability of treatment results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 24-month period, 296 women underwent IUI single treatments. PR's were correlated with the type of stimulation medication that were prospectively and randomly assigned to each patient, and with the number and size of maturing follicles detected on the hCG injection day. RESULTS: MER and PUR needed comparable number of days (9.26±4.74 and 9.73±6.27 respectively) before follicles were ready for IUI, although the average amount used from MER, 1199.90 IU, was about double that was used from PUR, 621.08 IU. The overall PR in case of PUR however was nearly double that of MER, 13.28% and 7.14% respectively. The best PR, 16.22%, occurred when the follicles matured within 12-13 days. Three follicles of at least 15-mm diameter on the hCG day had better PR's than one or two, however when the follicles' diameters were at least 18-mm, PR was significantly higher, (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: MER and PUR had comparable stimulation effects; however PUR had noticeably higher PR. The best PR occurred when the follicles matured within 12-13 days. PR in case of three maturing follicles on the hCG day was better than only one or two, and significantly better when their diameters were at least 18 mm.
