Alterations in mitochondria membrane potential and oxidative stress in infertile men: a prospective observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of spermatozoa and its correlation with semen parameters and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infertile men and healthy donors.


METHODS
Controlled prospective study.


METHODS
Male infertility clinic, Glickman Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.


METHODS
Nineteen infertile men and 7 healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Standard semen analysis, assessment of MMP and ROS production in spermatozoa. The MMP was assessed by flow cytometry using the probe carbocyanine DiOC(6)(3) and ROS was measured with chemiluminescence assay using luminol.


METHODS
The results of MMP are reported as the median interquartile range (IQR) number of cells counted in different areas of fluorescence. Results of ROS measurement are expressed as x10(6) counted photons per minute per 20 million sperm (cpm).


RESULTS
The patients with abnormal semen parameters had a significantly lower MMP [1337.7 (1066.38, 1879.2)], and higher ROS [1.12 (0.26, 3.86)] than the donors [MMP: 2482.9 (2162.5, 3520.6)] and [ROS: 0.10 (0.01, 0.14)]. The MMP was positively correlated with sperm concentration (r = 0.62) and negatively correlated with the ROS produced (r = -0.45).


CONCLUSIONS
Measuring MMP in spermatozoa provides useful information about a man's fertility potential. Increased ROS production by spermatozoa is associated with a decreased MMP.
D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008165:Luminol / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
C117642:3,3'-dihexadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate; D002232:Carbocyanines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008165:Luminol