RESUMO
The aim of this study was to explore the potential of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) for reduction of sperm DNA fragmentation level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen. The study included 90 men with idiopathic infertility. Patients of the treatment group (n = 60) underwent HBO before the vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. In the control group (n = 30) IVF was carried out without prior cours of HBO. Sperm DNA fragmentation analysis was carried out using the TUNEL assay, the level of ROS in the ejaculate was measured by chemiluminescence. HBO treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the mean level of sperm DNA fragmentation from 33.2 ± 7.5 to 11.9 ± 5.9%, and the median ROS in sperm from 0.89 to 0.39 mV/s (p < 0.05). In the control group these changes were not statistically significant. Pregnancy after IVF occurred in 63.3% (38/60) of sexual partners of the treatment group men and in 36.7% (11/30) of the control group (p < 0.05). The high efficiency of HBO in overcoming the adverse effects of oxidative stress on sperm parameters allows us to consider it as a promising method for the treatment of men with idiopathic infertility.