Effect of cigarette smoking on antioxidant levels and presence of leukocytospermia in infertile men: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking on antioxidant levels and the presence of leukocytospermia in infertile men.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
Ten fertile donors and 112 infertile patients were included in the study.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization guideline. The activity of the superoxide dismutase was based on the adrenochrome concentration, and the catalase activity was determined by the velocity of hydrogen peroxide consumption.


RESULTS
Lower levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase were seen in infertile patients compared with fertile donors. Superoxide dismutase was significantly correlated with sperm concentration and negatively correlated with leukocytospermia. In addition, leukocytospermia was inversely correlated with sperm motility. Superoxide dismutase levels were negatively related to cigarette smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Cigarette smoking may impair sperm motility and decrease the antioxidant activity (negative correlation with superoxide dismutase) in the seminal plasma.
Pasqualotto
Fábio Firmbach
FF
Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil. fabio@conception-rs.com.br
Umezu
Fernanda Medeiros
FM
Salvador
Mirian
M
Borges
Edson
E
Sobreiro
Bernardo Passos
BP
Pasqualotto
Eleonora Bedin
EB
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood*; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase