Correlation between seminal oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidants with sperm DNA damage in elite athletes and recreationally active men

Clin J Sport Med. 2012 Mar;22(2):132-9. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0b013e31823f310a.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the seminal plasma 8-isoprostane, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and levels of sperm DNA fragmentation in elite athletes and recreationally active men.

Design: Prospective design was used for this study.

Setting: The study was performed in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Urmia University.

Participants: Fifty-six elite athletes and 52 recreationally active men (18-28 years) participated in this study.

Intervention: All subjects had a semen sampling at baseline.

Main outcome measures: Total antioxidant capacity and SOD activity were measured by colorimetric assay. Levels of ROS were measured by a chemiluminescence assay. Malondialdehyde levels were measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay. Catalase activity was measured by monitoring the initial rate of disappearance of hydrogen peroxide. Concentration of free 8-isoprostane was measured by enzyme immunoassay method. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated fluorescein dUTP nick end-labeling assay.

Results: Recreationally active men have significantly higher levels of body fat, seminal SOD, TAC, and catalase and lower levels of V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, seminal ROS, MDA, and 8-isoprostane and subsequently lower rate of sperm DNA fragmentation when compared with elite athletes (P < 0.001). Significantly negative correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation with body fat, seminal SOD, catalase, and TAC levels (P < 0.001). Significantly positive correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation with V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, seminal 8-isoprostane, ROS, and MDA levels (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Spermatozoa from recreationally active men may be less susceptible to oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and hence infertility.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Athletes*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Body Fat Distribution
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Colorimetry
  • DNA Damage*
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • Dinoprost / analogs & derivatives
  • Dinoprost / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Semen / metabolism*
  • Spermatozoa / cytology*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • 8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Dinoprost
  • Catalase
  • Superoxide Dismutase