Protective effect of antioxidants on the impairment of sperm motility by activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
OBJECTIVE
To test the ability of antioxidants to reduce the loss of sperm motility caused by reactive oxygen species generated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML).


METHODS
Standardized preparations of leukocyte-contaminated semen were created by suspending known concentrations of purified spermatozoa and PML in seminal plasma. After the stimulation of reactive oxygen species generation with phorbol ester, the spermatozoa were washed and incubated in culture medium before an analysis of their movement. The ability of antioxidants to counteract the free radical-induced loss of sperm motility observed under these circumstances was assessed.


METHODS
An institutional research laboratory.


METHODS
The semen was obtained from normal volunteers.


METHODS
The following were tested: vitamins C and E, dimethylsulfoxide, catalase, hypotaurine, N-acetylcysteine, and reduced glutathione.


METHODS
Reactive oxygen species generation was monitored by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Sperm motility was assessed manually and by computer-aided semen analysis.


RESULTS
Consistent impairment of sperm motility and average path velocity was observed in the presence of activated PML. This effect was reduced by the concomitant presence of glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, hypotaurine, and catalase.


CONCLUSIONS
Antioxidants can protect against the damaging effect of leukocyte-derived reactive oxygen species on sperm movement and may be of clinical value in assisted conception procedures.
Baker
H W
HW
Medical Research Council Reproductive Biology Unit, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Brindle
J
J
Irvine
D S
DS
Aitken
R J
RJ
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species