Effect of endotoxin-induced reactive oxygen species on sperm motility.
OBJECTIVE
To define the mechanism of infection-induced damage of sperm.


METHODS
The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) on sperm motility and its modification by scavengers were investigated.


METHODS
Research laboratory of a university hospital.


METHODS
Normozoospermic semen samples were obtained from 37 healthy volunteers.


METHODS
The sperms were incubated in the presence of LPS with or without scavengers.


METHODS
Sperm motility was evaluated by a sperm quality analyzer (SQAIIB). ROS formation in semen samples was measured by a Berthold luminometer (LB953).


RESULTS
Motility of spermatozoa was decreased in the LPS-treated samples compared with that in the control groups. ROS was significantly higher in the LPS-treated groups than in the control groups. The addition of ROS scavengers restored the motility index and suppressed ROS production in the LPS-treated semen samples.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that endotoxin-induced excessive production of ROS is responsible for the decrease in sperm motility and that antioxidant therapy may be a therapeutic option for infertile men with bacterial genital tract infection.
Urata
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita Medical University, Hasama, Japan.
Narahara
H
H
Tanaka
Y
Y
Egashira
T
T
Takayama
F
F
Miyakawa
I
I
D004731:Endotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D004731:Endotoxins; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013078:Sperm Immobilizing Agents