Superoxide anion in human semen related to seminal parameters and clinical aspects.
OBJECTIVE
To study the possible presence of extracellular superoxide anion (O2-) in untreated semen of normal and pathological subjects and to determine the possible relationship between superoxide anion levels, number of seminal leukocytes (WBCs) and seminal parameters.


METHODS
Semen samples were analyzed from fertile normospermic subjects (n = 20) and patients (n = 132) attending the Outpatient Department of the 5th Medical Clinic.


METHODS
We evaluated superoxide anion levels by monitoring the reduction of cytochrome c.


RESULTS
O2- was detected in 55.0% of fertile normospermic subjects. Both the percentage of subjects in whom O2- was detected and the mean values +/- SD of O2- were significantly higher in the male partners of infertile couples, in subjects with varicocele, and in subjects with positive sperm culture than normospermic subjects. No variations were seen in vasectomized subjects or in patients with past cryptorchidism. A high correlation was observed between O2- levels and WBCs (rs = 0.58), nonrapid, immotile sperm (rs = 0.64), percentage decrease of motility within a specified time frame (2 to 6 hours) (rs = 0.73), and sperm abnormalities (rs = 0.49).


CONCLUSIONS
Superoxide anion in untreated semen is produced by WBCs and atypical and nonrapid, immotile sperm. A significant increase of superoxide anion was detected in the male partners of infertile couples and in some selected andrological conditions. The toxic effect of superoxide anion on sperm cells is dependent on the time of exposure and superoxide anion concentration.
Mazzilli
F
F
Laboratory of Seminology and Immunology of Reproduction, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Rossi
T
T
Marchesini
M
M
Ronconi
C
C
Dondero
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000838:Anions / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000378:metabolism; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*
D000838:Anions; D013481:Superoxides