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.
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.
Authors: R Rago; P Salacone; L Caponecchia; A Sebastianelli; I Marcucci; A E Calogero; R Condorelli; E Vicari; G Morgia; V Favilla; S Cimino; A F Arcoria; S La Vignera Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2013-05-30 Impact factor: 4.256
Authors: M E McAuliffe; P L Williams; S A Korrick; R Dadd; F Marchetti; S E Martenies; M J Perry Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2014-07-27 Impact factor: 6.918