Fatty acid composition of human spermatozoa and seminal plasma levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in subfertile males.
BACKGROUND
The lipid composition of the sperm membrane has a significant effect on the functional characteristics of spermatozoa.


METHODS
In the present study, fatty acid composition of spermatozoa and seminal plasma levels of free 15-F(2t)-Isoprostane and catalase were assayed in men with normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia, and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.


RESULTS
In spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic men only oleic acid levels showed a significant difference from normozoospermic men. In spermatozoa from asthenoteratozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic samples all of the tested fatty acids were significantly higher than those from normozoospermic samples. Seminal plasma levels of catalase were significantly lower in all patients while levels of free 15-F(2t)-Isoprostane were significantly higher in all patients compared with normozoospermic men.


CONCLUSIONS
Spermatozoa from pathological samples may have higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), than spermatozoa from normozoospermic men. Therefore, damage induced by lipid peroxidation would be higher in spermatozoa from pathological samples than those from normozoospermic men.
Khosrowbeygi
Ali
A
Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khoramabad, Iran.
Zarghami
Nosratollah
N
D053627:Asthenozoospermia; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002374:Catalase / Q000032:analysis; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D005227:Fatty Acids; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; C075750:8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha; D015237:Dinoprost; D002374:Catalase