Relationship between ROS production, apoptosis and DNA denaturation in spermatozoa from patients examined for infertility.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to examine the role of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in inducing DNA damage in ejaculated spermatozoa.


METHODS
We examined ejaculated spermatozoa from 31 patients examined for infertility and 19 healthy donors for apoptosis, production of ROS and DNA damage using annexin V binding, chemiluminescence assay and sperm chromatin structure assay.


RESULTS
The percentage of spermatozoa that underwent apoptosis in the whole ejaculate and mature fraction was higher in the patients than in the donors (P<0.001 and P=0.009, respectively). Levels of ROS in the whole ejaculate and immature fraction were higher in the patients than in the donors (P=0.002 and P=0.009). Apoptosis was significantly correlated with ROS within patients in the whole ejaculate [r (95% confidence interval)=0.53 (0.19-0.86)] and in the mature [0.71 (0.39-1.00)] and immature spermatozoa [0.75 (0.45-1.00)]. Only apoptosis and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were significantly correlated within patients in the whole ejaculate [0.57 (0.18-0.97)].


CONCLUSIONS
DNA damage may be induced by oxidative assault. Apoptosis may not contribute significantly to the DNA damage.
Moustafa
Mohamed H
MH
Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Sexual Function, Glickman Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Sharma
Rakesh K
RK
Thornton
Julie
J
Mascha
Edward
E
Abdel-Hafez
Mohammed A
MA
Thomas
Anthony J
AJ
Agarwal
Ashok
A
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014019:Tissue Donors
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D004247:DNA