Diagnostic value of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in human seminal plasma.
OBJECTIVE
To establish cutoff value, sensitivity, specificity and intra- and interobserver variability of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in seminal plasma from healthy donors (controls) and infertile patients.


METHODS
Seminal plasma from proven fertile donors (n = 55), nonproven fertile donors (n = 45), and infertile patients (n = 42) were examined for TAC level.


METHODS
Reproductive research center in a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
Infertile patients from male infertility clinic of various diagnoses.


METHODS
Seminal plasma TAC measurement by a colorimetric assay using the TAC assay kit, receiver operating characteristics curve.


METHODS
Seminal plasma TAC levels, cutoff value, sensitivity, and specificity.


RESULTS
Proven fertile donors showed higher TAC values (median and range): 1700 (1440-2290 microM); compared with the infertile patients: 1310 (1040-1600 microM). The best cutoff to distinguish between fertile controls and infertile men was 1420 microM. At this threshold, specificity was 64% and sensitivity 76%.


CONCLUSIONS
Total antioxidant capacity of the seminal plasma as measured by the colorimetric assay is a reliable and simple test for the diagnosis and management of male infertility.
Mahfouz
Reda
R
Reproductive Research Center, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Sharma
Rakesh
R
Sharma
Dipika
D
Sabanegh
Edmund
E
Agarwal
Ashok
A
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic