Biomed. Papers 147(2), 173-176 (2003) | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2003.024

The occurrence of reactive oxygen species in the semen of males from infertile couples

Jiří Novotný^a, Ivana Oborná^b, Jana Březinová^b, Magda Svobodová^b, Jan Hrbáč^c, Helena Fingerová^b

^a Institute of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Hněvotínská 3, Palacký University, 775 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic

^b Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, I. P. Pavlova 22, Palacký University, 775 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic

^c Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, tř. Svobody 26, 771 46, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

The aim of this pilot study was to establish a reactive oxygen species (ROS) evaluation method as a step in the routine diagnosis of men from infertile couples, which attend the Centre of Assisted Reproduction at the Teaching Hospital in Olomouc. Standard semen analyses were performed manually according to WHO guidelines. The number of peroxidase-positive leukocytes in the semen was determined using the Endtz test. The levels of ROS were estimated by chemiluminescence assay using luminol (5-amino-2,3 dihydro-1,4 phthalazinedione) as a probe. The semen samples were collected from 68 patients. Normospermia was found in 15 patients (22.1 %). The semen samples of 3 normospermic patients were classified as ROS-positive. Elevated ROS production was recorded in all subgroups of patients irrespective of any pathology found. We confirmed that spermatozoa might be the source of ROS as well as the seminal leukocytes. Apart from the leukocytes, sperm cells with residual cytoplasm and immature spermatozoa are considered to be a major source of ROS. Thus it is suggested that sperm morphology abnormalities should be evaluated more carefully.

Keywords: Keywords: Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Oxidative stress, Spermatozoa, Leukocytes, Chemiluminescence

Received: October 12, 2003; Accepted: October 30, 2003; Published: December 1, 2003  Show citation