Increased oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage in the spermatozoa of infertile male patients

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether a high level of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa occurs in infertile male patients and to examine the influence of antioxidant treatments on the levels of this damage.

Design: Controlled clinical study and uncontrolled pilot study.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University School of Medicine.

Patient(s): Nineteen infertile male and 17 control patients.

Intervention(s): The levels of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa of infertile male and control patients were compared. In addition, 14 infertile males were given antioxidants for 2 months.

Main outcome measure(s): The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a form of oxidative damage, in the spermatozoa were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Result(s): The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in sperm DNA were significantly higher in male infertile patients than in the control patients (1.5 +/- 0.2 versus 1.0 +/- 0.1 per 10(5) deoxyguanosine) and were correlated with sperm concentrations in ejaculates. Antioxidant treatment resulted in significant positive effects on sperm concentrations, with a significant reduction in sperm 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels (from 1.5 +/- 0.2 to 1.1 +/- 0.1 per 10(5) deoxyguanosine).

Conclusion(s): Our present data demonstrate an association between the level of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa and male infertility and point to the possible use of antioxidants to reduce this damage.