TITLE:
Evaluation of the impact of leucocytospermia on semen oxidative status by chemiluminescence technique in infertile men
AUTHORS:
Afifa Sellami, Nozha Chakroun, Yemna Rtaib, Hajer Hdhili, Riadh Ben Mansour, Louati Dolira, Kais Chaabene, Leila Keskes, Saloua Lassoued, Tarek Rebai
KEYWORDS:
Semen; Oxidative Stress; Leucocytospermia; Chemiluminescence; ROS; FMLP
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.4 No.11A,
November
15,
2013
ABSTRACT:
The presence of high reactive oxygen species (ROS)
levels in semen is a major factor involved in the decline of male fertility.
In seminal plasma, ROS are mainly
produced by activated leucocytes. Spermatozoa were the first cell type reported to show a potential susceptibility to oxidative damage. The aim of our study was
to evaluate the impact of leucocytospermia on basal and FMLP
(Formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine) induced oxidative status in semen of
infertile men. We also analyzed the correlations of the spermatic parameters
with amounts of ROS in semen. Our study included 50 semen samples of infertile
men. Sperm analysis was performed
using WHO standardized method. Seminal leucocytes were quantified using peroxidase technique. The
measurement of ROS levels in semen was made by chemiluminescence assay. We
measure respectively ROS amounts in neat semen and in washed sperm cells
suspension from the same ejaculate. We also applied the test of provocation of
leucocytes by FMLP on neat and washed samples to assess the spermatic oxidative
status after leucocyte stimulation. Our results showed significant correlations
between ROS levels in neat semen and many sperm parameters: motility, sperm
concentration, leucocytes concentration and the rate of sperm cytoplasmic droplets. The studied samples were divided
into 2 groups: (G1) composed of 36 samples without leucocytospermia and (G2) composed of 14 leucospermic samples.
ROS levels were significantly lower in G1 than in G2 (p = 0.002). ROS
production was significantly increased after application of FMLP in washed
leucospermic samples (p = 0.001). The measurement of ROS in neat semen is a considerable
contribution to explore the impairment of semen quality in infertile men. ROS
levels in washed semen reflect the oxidative status generated by sperm
preparation techniques used in assisted reproductive procedures. Levels of
ROS are highly influenced by the presence of leucocytes and associated with
decreased seminal parameters.