Relationship among standard semen parameters, glutathione peroxidase/glutathione reductase activity, and mRNA expression and reduced glutathione content in ejaculated spermatozoa from fertile and infertile men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression and enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX)-1, GPX-4, and glutathione reductase together with glutathione (GSH) concentrations in spermatozoa from fertile and infertile men.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University-affiliated private center.


METHODS
Fifty-four infertile men undergoing assisted reproduction techniques and 55 fertile sperm donors with pregnancies and newborns by artificial insemination.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Analysis of gene expression by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and an analysis of enzymatic activity and GSH concentration by controlled biochemical reactions and spectrophotometry.


RESULTS
GPX-4 activity but not mRNA expression is directly related to sperm morphology (strict criteria) and is more compromised with a low percentage of normal sperm. These differences are also demonstrated when fertile and infertile men were compared. In addition, intracellular GSH concentrations are lower when sperm morphology is severely impaired, but no differences were found between fertile and infertile men.


CONCLUSIONS
Intracellular sperm GSH system components GPX-4 and GSH are altered in infertile men, and these alterations seem to be linked to sperm morphology.
Garrido
Nicolás
N
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad Valencia, Andrology Laboratory and Semen Bank, Valencia, Spain. nicolas.gerrido@ivi.es
Meseguer
Marcos
M
Alvarez
Juan
J
Simón
Carlos
C
Pellicer
Antonio
A
Remohí
José
J
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004542:Ejaculation; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D000094765:Glutathione Peroxidase GPX1
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005978:Glutathione; D000094765:Glutathione Peroxidase GPX1; C000722067:GPX1 protein, human