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. 2025 Apr 21;14(4):450.
doi: 10.3390/biology14040450.

Seminal F2-IsoP and RvD1 Levels in Idiopathic Infertile Men

Elena Moretti  1 , Giulia Collodel  1 , Caterina Marcucci  1 , Laura Liguori  1 , Laura Gambera  2 , Cinzia Signorini  1
Affiliations

Seminal F2-IsoP and RvD1 Levels in Idiopathic Infertile Men

Elena Moretti et al. Biology (Basel). .

Abstract

30 percent of infertile men are diagnosed with idiopathic infertility. This study aimed to assess oxidative stress in the semen of 77 patients with idiopathic infertility by measuring F2-isoprostane (F2-IsoP), resolvin D1 (RvD1) levels, and semen parameters. The presence and localization of 8-IsoProstaglandin F2α were determined using immunofluorescence. No significant correlations were observed for F2-IsoP and RvD1 levels with the semen variables. Based on F2-IsoP levels, individuals were classified into two groups: Group 1 (F2-IsoPs ≤ 29.96 ng/mL, 51%) and Group 2 (F2-IsoPs > 29.96 ng/mL, 49%). In comparison to Group 1, Group 2 showed significantly higher F2-IsoP levels (13.33 ng/mL vs. 44.80 ng/mL; p < 0.05), a lower progressive motility percentage (30% vs. 25%; p < 0.05), and increased RvD1 levels (36.09% vs. 44.94%). Immunofluorescence analysis revealed a different localization of 8-IsoProstaglandin F2α in the ejaculated sperm of Group 1 compared to that observed in Group 2. A weak signal was detected in the sperm tail (Group 1, 79.1% vs. Group 2, 36.9; p < 0.01). In spermatozoa of Group 2 patients, a strong signal in the acrosome, midpiece, and tail was highlighted. These findings suggest the need to test oxidative stress during routine semen analysis in patients with idiopathic infertility to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: F2-isoprostanes; human semen; idiopathic infertility; oxidative stress; resolvin D1.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Box plot of the percentage of progressive sperm motility evaluated in idiopathic patients grouped according to their F2-IsoP level (cut-off 29.96 ng/mL [20]), a marker of LPO.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Box plot showing the F2-IsoP levels measured in the seminal plasma of idiopathic patients grouped according to their F2-IsoP level (cut-off 29.96 ng/mL [20]). The difference between the two groups was significant.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Immunofluorescence staining of spermatozoa using a polyclonal antibody against 8-iso-PGF2α. (A) Spermatozoa from a patient in Group 1 exhibit weak labeling in the flagellum. (B,C) Spermatozoa from patients in Group 2 show more intense 8-iso-PGF2α staining localized to the mitochondrial sheath ((B), arrows), as well as the acrosomal region and cytoplasmic residues ((C), arrows). Nuclei were counterstained with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Scale bars (A–C): 5 µm.
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