Effect of sperm glutathione peroxidases 1 and 4 on embryo asymmetry and blastocyst quality in oocyte donation cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively determine the impact of concrete components of the sperm oxidative glutathione stress system in terms of enzymatic activity and mitochondrial RNA (mRNA) expression on embryo quality and reproductive outcome. Human spermatozoa use the glutathione system to inactivate reactive oxygen metabolites, and there is a close correlation between some components of the glutathione system and male fertility. However, very few data are published regarding this system in sperm cells and its effect on fertilization ability and embryo development in human beings.


METHODS
An oocyte-donation model, used to homogenize the female factor.


METHODS
University-affiliated private IVF setting.


METHODS
Semen samples from infertile males (n = 43) of couples undergoing oocyte-donation cycles (n = 43).


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Gene expression and activity of glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) 1 and 4, glutathione reductase, and intracellular glutathione (GSH) by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and spectrophotometry, respectively.


RESULTS
Fertilization rate, pronuclear number, asymmetry, and pronuclear body distribution were not correlated with any sperm glutathione parameters that were considered. When day 3 embryo parameters were evaluated, only GPX4 mRNA expression in sperm cells was statistically significantly lower when asymmetric embryos were observed. Also, worst embryo development and morphology on day 5 was statistically significantly correlated with lower sperm GPX1 activity (101.07 vs. 258.8 IU/mg protein). Glutathione system analysis in fresh sperm was not statistically significantly different in patients achieving pregnancy compared with those who not, and we did not find any correlation with implantation rate.


CONCLUSIONS
We have been able to correlate embryo morphology on day 3 with the sperm expression of GPX family members. The results indicate that sperm-derived mRNA may condition human embryo quality and persist even to blastocyst stage. The correlation of the sperm GPX family mRNA expression with embryo health appears quite promising for discovery of molecular causes of male infertility.
Meseguer
Marcos
M
Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad Valencia, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. marcos.meseguer@ivi.es
de los Santos
Maria J
MJ
Simón
Carlos
C
Pellicer
Antonio
A
Remohí
José
J
Garrido
Nicolás
N
D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D011247:Pregnancy; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology*; D000094765:Glutathione Peroxidase GPX1
D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D000094765:Glutathione Peroxidase GPX1; C000722067:GPX1 protein, human