Zhongguo quanke yixue (Apr 2023)
Association of Oxidative Stress and Energy Metabolism with Sperm Quality in Chinese Male Adults
Abstract
Background Oxidative stress and energy metabolism are important factors that affect sperm quality in male individuals. However, the majority of available studies are based on animal models, and evidence from human studies is still inadequate. Besides, most previous studies have paid more attention to the effects of oxidative stress and energy metabolism on sperm concentration and motility, with a little focus on their impact on sperm motility velocity and trajectory and other specific objective indicators evaluating the state of male infertility. Objective To investigate the effects of biological indicators related to oxidative stress and energy metabolism on sperm concentration, motility, movement velocity and trajectory in male adults, thus to provide epidemiological evidence for precise intervention of male reproductive health problems. Methods One hundred and nine volunteers were recruited as subjects from the Center of Reproductive Medicine in Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University from June to December 2021. Their semen samples were collected. The computer-assisted sperm analysis system was applied to detect sperm concentration parameters (sperm concentration, linear motion sperm concentration), sperm motility〔total sperm motility, progressive motility (PR), non-progressive motility (NP) 〕, sperm motility velocity parameters〔curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP) 〕 and sperm motility trajectory parameters 〔mean amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), mean beat-cross frequency (BCF), mean angular displacement (MAD), linearity coefficient (LIN), wobble coefficient (WOB), straightness coefficient (STR) 〕. Besides that, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in semen samples were measured as oxidative stress markers, and the level of sperm adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was measured to assess the level of energy metabolism. General linear model (GLM) was used to evaluate the correlation of MDA and GSH and ATP with sperm quality parameters. Results A total of 67 sperm samples were used to examine oxidative stress level, and 42 sperm samples were employed to assess the level of energy metabolism. The analysis using the GLM demonstrated that in terms of oxidative stress level, MDA level was negatively correlated with linear motion sperm concentration, total sperm motility, PR, NP, VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, BCF, MAD, LIN, WOB, and STR (P<0.05) ; the level of GSH was positively correlated with linear motion sperm concentration, total sperm motility, PR, VSL, VAP, ALH, BCF, MAD, LIN, WOB, and STR (P<0.05). In terms of energy metabolism, the level of ATP was positively correlated with linear motion sperm concentration, total sperm motility, PR, NP, VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, BCF, MAD, LIN, WOB, and STR (P<0.05) . Conclusion Higher level of oxidative stress is associated with lower sperm motility, lower velocity of sperm movements, and the adverse change in sperm trajectory. While higher ATP level is related to higher sperm motility, higher sperm movement velocity, and the favorable change of sperm trajectory.
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