Nitric oxide, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, and total antioxidant capacity in human seminal plasma of infertile men and their relationship with sperm parameters.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. But, the adverse effects of oxidative biomarkers on sperm quality remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the levels of nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxydesoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) oxidative biomarkers in seminal plasma and their relationship with sperm parameters. METHODS: A total of 77 volunteers participated in the study, including fertile (n=40) and infertile men (n=37). NO, 8-OHdG, and TAC levels were measured using the ferric reducing ability of plasma, Griess reagent method and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, respectively. RESULTS: The mean values of sperm parameters in the infertile group were significantly lower than those in the fertile group (p<0.001). The mean 8-OHdG in the seminal plasma of infertile men was significantly higher (p=0.013) than those of controls, while the mean TAC was significantly lower (p=0.046). There was no significant difference in NO level between the two groups. The elevated seminal 8-OHdG levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p<0.001, p=0.001 and p=0.052, respectively). NO levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p=0.014, p=0.020 and p=0.060, respectively). Positive correlations between TAC and both sperm count and morphology (p=0.043 and p=0.025, respectively) were also found. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that increased levels of NO and 8-OHdG in seminal plasma could have a negative effect on sperm function by inducing damage to the sperm DNA hence their fertility potentials. Therefore, these biomarkers can be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Comparison of large-scale deletions of the sperm mitochondrial DNA in normozoospermic and asthenoteratozoospermic men.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mitochondria play a crucial role in energy metabolism for the survival and motility of sperm during fertilization. The aim of this study was to determine the association of large-scale mitochondrial DNA deletions with abnormal sperm motility and morphology in asthenoteratozoospermic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 41 semen samples were collected from 18 normozoospermic healthy men and 23 asthenoteratozoospermic patients, according to the WHO guidelines. The swim-up technique was used for separation of spermatozoa on the basis of their motility. Long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for screening of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) large-scale deletions, and primer shift PCR was used for confirmation of deletions. RESULTS: The mean sperm motility, normal morphology, and progressive motility in asthenoteratozoospermic patients were significantly lower than in the normozoospermic group (P < 0.0001). There was a positive significant correlation between motility and normal sperm morphology ( P < 0.0001, r = 0.741). The results of long-range PCR revealed the existence of 4866-bp deletion along with the two common 4977-bp and 7436-bp deleted mtDNA in both groups. However, the frequency of multiple mtDNA deletions in the asthenoteratozoospermic group (15/23, 65.22%) was significantly higher than that in the normozoospermic group (7/18, 38.89%). Direct sequencing of the 534-bp PCR product revealed that it was amplified from the mtDNA with a 4866-bp deletion flanked by a seven-nucleotide direct repeat (5'-ACCCCCT-3'). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that these large-scale deletions of mtDNA may be genetic risk factors for poor sperm quality in asthenoteratozoospermia-induced male infertility. Thus, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind the generation of these deletions.

Insulin resistance and adverse metabolic profile in overweight/obese and normal weight of young women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs) is an endocrine-metabolic disorder. This study intends to determine the comparison of insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic disturbance in overweight/obese and normal-weight of young women with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: Using a comparative cross-sectional study design in 2015, 27 normal weight (183.15) vs. 8.3% (5) in the normal group (P<0.001). 82.4% (62) of the overweight/obese group revealed low insulin sensitivity (QUICKI<0.34) while this value was 17.6 % (13) within their lean counterparts (p<0.001). In the study group, 89.7 % (54) showed elevated fasting insulin concentration (>13µU/ml) vs. 10.3% (7) in the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obese PCOs patients revealed higher insulin resistance and lower insulin sensitivity, and also greater TG and LDL cholesterol. Priority of management of insulin resistance and lipid profile should be considered on identifying these potentially major complications.