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. 2004 Jan;19(1):129-38.
doi: 10.1093/humrep/deh024.

Relationship between ROS production, apoptosis and DNA denaturation in spermatozoa from patients examined for infertility

Mohamed H Moustafa  1 , Rakesh K Sharma, Julie Thornton, Edward Mascha, Mohammed A Abdel-Hafez, Anthony J Thomas Jr, Ashok Agarwal
Affiliations

Relationship between ROS production, apoptosis and DNA denaturation in spermatozoa from patients examined for infertility

Mohamed H Moustafa et al. Hum Reprod. 2004 Jan.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the role of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in inducing DNA damage in ejaculated spermatozoa.

Methods: We examined ejaculated spermatozoa from 31 patients examined for infertility and 19 healthy donors for apoptosis, production of ROS and DNA damage using annexin V binding, chemiluminescence assay and sperm chromatin structure assay.

Results: The percentage of spermatozoa that underwent apoptosis in the whole ejaculate and mature fraction was higher in the patients than in the donors (P<0.001 and P=0.009, respectively). Levels of ROS in the whole ejaculate and immature fraction were higher in the patients than in the donors (P=0.002 and P=0.009). Apoptosis was significantly correlated with ROS within patients in the whole ejaculate [r (95% confidence interval)=0.53 (0.19-0.86)] and in the mature [0.71 (0.39-1.00)] and immature spermatozoa [0.75 (0.45-1.00)]. Only apoptosis and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were significantly correlated within patients in the whole ejaculate [0.57 (0.18-0.97)].

Conclusions: DNA damage may be induced by oxidative assault. Apoptosis may not contribute significantly to the DNA damage.

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