The Role of Seminal Oxidative Stress Scavenging System in the Pathogenesis of Sperm DNA Damage in Men Exposed and Not Exposed to Genital Heat Stress.

Responding to the need for the verification of some experimental animal studies showing the involvement of oxidative stress in germ cell damage in the heat-induced testis, we investigated the possibility of a direct relationship between seminal oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde concentration) and ejaculated sperm chromatin/DNA integrity (DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation abnormalities) in distinct groups of men exposed and not exposed to prolonged scrotal hyperthermia. A statistical increase in the proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation was observed in all the studied subgroups compared to the fertile men. In turn, the groups subjected to heat stress as professional drivers or infertile men with varicocele presented greater disturbances in the oxidative stress scavenging system than men not exposed to genital heat stress. Based on the comparative analysis of the studied parameters, we can conclude that alterations in the seminal oxidative stress scavenging system are directly engaged in the pathogenesis of ejaculated sperm DNA damage regardless of the intensity of the impact of thermal insult. To the best of our knowledge, this study, for the first time, revealed the co-existence of oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage in the semen of professional drivers.

Seminal Plasma Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Different Genitourinary Topographical Regions Involved in Reproductive Tract Disorders Associated with Genital Heat Stress.

The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for male subfertility/infertility caused by or complicated by genital heat stress remains unclear in many respects. Because seminal plasma creates the environment for the proper functioning of spermatozoa, in this study, we verified the associations among standard spermiograms, seminal biochemical parameters (neutral alpha-glucosidase, fructose, and citric acid) and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde concentration) in distinct entities associated with male infertility with and without long-time exposure to local hyperthermia. We demonstrated that men exposed to prolonged environmental or clinically recognized local heat stress in adulthood may suffer from dysregulation of seminal antioxidant components, which can be directly associated with epididymal and prostate function. The comparative analysis of the studied parameters showed numerous correlations among all biochemical parameters (particularly neutral alpha-glucosidase) with low standard semen quality in almost all the investigated infertile groups. In light of the data obtained in this originally designed study, we conclude that more attention should be paid to the epididymis and accessory gland function in subfertile and infertile men exposed to genital heat stress, especially in the context of novel treatment algorithms (targeted therapies).

[Novel aspects of human infertility: the role of the male factor]. / Nowe aspekty nieplodnosci partnerskiej:czynnik meski.

In the article new aspects of the 'male factor' and its role in early stages of pregnancy are described. Among others, genetic and immunogenetic (KIR/KAR, HLA) factors are underlined as well as immunological ones (e.g. microchimerism). A significant part of this review is dedicated to infectious agents and semen inflammation as well as to the TORCH syndrome and chlamydiosis, concentrating on the male part, in which there are a lot of unclarified consequences. The problem of somatic diseases and general homeostasis of the male and its influence on pregnancy with particular emphasis on previous cryptorchidism is also discussed. The role of sperm DNA integrity in the fertilization process as well as genetic polymorphisms on the male side is emphasised. Particularly, molecular aspects of HLA-G and HLA-C in developmental biology are raised. There is a discussion of the individual approach to assisted reproductive techniques, which cannot be treated as a panacea for infertility treatment, particularly considering early stages of embryonal and fetal development.

[Flow cytometry application in the evaluation of antisperm antibodies in sera samples of infertile people and prepubertal boys with gonadal disorders]. / Wykorzystanie cytometrii przeplywowej do oceny wystepowania przeclwcial przeciwplemnikowych w surowicy od nieplodnych osób doroslych i chlopców przed pokwitaniem z wadami w drogachi rozrodczych.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the following study was to assess antisperm antibodies in sera samples of infertile men and women, as well as from prepubertal boys by means of flow cytometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We tested sera samples of infertile and fertile adult populations, prepubertal boys with gonadal disorders and healthy prepubertal boys. The indirect immunobead test and flow cytometry were used to detect antisperm antibodies. RESULTS: The comparison of antisperm antibody levels in sera samples of adult infertile versus healthy controls (men and women) evaluated by means of flow cytometry did not reveal statistically significant differences. The only significant correlation found were results obtained by IDIBT and FCM for IgG antisperm antibodies for infertile adult group (r = 0.507, p = 0.012). The comparison of antisperm antibody levels in sera samples from prepubertal boys revealed statistically significant differences for all tested antibody isotypes. Diagnostic values compared for both assays showed markedly better discriminatory ability of flow cytometry for analyzed groups of prepubertal boys than for adult populations. CONCLUSIONS: Flow cytometry test may be used to verify antisperm antibody levels in prepubertal boys with testicular failures.

Cryptorchidism and long-term consequences.

Cryptorchidism has been on the rise for several decades and can be observed with frequency of 1-2% of males within the first year of age. It may appear as an isolated disorder or can be a consequence of genetic and endocrine abnormalities connected with somatic anomalies. Its genetic background still seems to be unclear although a range of genes can be responsible for the development of this syndrome. Cryptorchidism can be associated with serum testosterone level although the often co-existing hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may also indicate the involvement of pituitary hormones. Recently, environmental factors have been blamed for cryptorchidism induction. Autoimmune reactions in conjunction with steroid hormones regulating immune response can be also partly responsible for cryptorchidism etiology. The appearance of antisperm antibodies can be considered as a marker or a serious side-effect of uncorrected cryptorchidism. If so, it could be implied that early surgery (orchidopexy) should be beneficial since it may prevent antisperm antibodies induction or at least eliminate them in the post-operative period.

Antisperm antibodies in prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism.

The presence of antisperm antibodies in male individuals before puberty is controversial due to the lack of finally differentiated male germ cells. It was questioned whether the pathologic conditions of the male gonad may influence antisperm antibody formation in individuals before puberty. Sera samples of 76 individuals and 10 healthy boys with testicular failure (mainly uni- or bilateral cryptorchidism) were examined by means of indirect immunobead-binding test (IDIBT). The presence of antisperm antibodies was found in 3.95% of the studied subjects. Antibodies recognizing antigenic determinants present on the surface of mature sperm cells may be produced before puberty in individuals suffering from cryptorchidism or the other gonadal disorders. Antisperm antibodies that did develop in a minority of the studied male population may be proof for individual predispositions to autoimmune reactions.