Ruiying Diao1, Huimei Gan1, Fuying Tian1, Xueyong Cai1, Wanhua Zhen1, Xiaolu Song1, Yong-Gang Duan2. 1. Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China. 2. Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
Abstract
PROBLEM: Quercetin has been shown to display intensive antioxidant activity against ROS-mediated damage in chilled semen, and the effects and molecular mechanisms of Quercetin on sperm function in the infertile patients with leukocytospermia remain largely unknown. METHODS: Semen samples were collected from the infertile men with leukocytospermia (n = 56) and fertile men (n = 44). Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was used to determine sperm motility before and after Quercetin incubation (10 μmol/L). Changes in H2 O2 , sperm mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), cytochrome B (Cty B), and NADH dehydrogenase 5 (NADH5) contents were measured. Furthermore, hyperactivated motility (HA) and acrosome reaction rates were detected after the stimulation by progesterone with or without Quercetin, respectively. RESULTS: Quercetin could significantly improve sperm motility from the leukocytospermic patients. The level of H2 O2 was significantly decreased in the supernatant of leukocytospermic patients after Quercetin treatment. The content of mtDNA in sperm was significantly decreased, whereas the contents of Cyt B and NADH 5 in sperm were significantly increased. Sperm hyperactivated motility and acrosome reaction induced by progesterone were enhanced by Quercetin in sperm from the infertile men with leukocytospermia. CONCLUSION: These data indicate Quercetin could display protective effects against oxidative damage on sperm from the infertile men with leukocytospermia.
PROBLEM: Quercetin has been shown to display intensive antioxidant activity against ROS-mediated damage in chilled semen, and the effects and molecular mechanisms of Quercetin on sperm function in the infertile patients with leukocytospermia remain largely unknown. METHODS: Semen samples were collected from the infertile men with leukocytospermia (n = 56) and fertile men (n = 44). Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was used to determine sperm motility before and after Quercetin incubation (10 μmol/L). Changes in H2 O2 , sperm mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), cytochrome B (Cty B), and NADH dehydrogenase 5 (NADH5) contents were measured. Furthermore, hyperactivated motility (HA) and acrosome reaction rates were detected after the stimulation by progesterone with or without Quercetin, respectively. RESULTS:Quercetin could significantly improve sperm motility from the leukocytospermic patients. The level of H2 O2 was significantly decreased in the supernatant of leukocytospermic patients after Quercetin treatment. The content of mtDNA in sperm was significantly decreased, whereas the contents of Cyt B and NADH 5 in sperm were significantly increased. Sperm hyperactivated motility and acrosome reaction induced by progesterone were enhanced by Quercetin in sperm from the infertile men with leukocytospermia. CONCLUSION: These data indicate Quercetin could display protective effects against oxidative damage on sperm from the infertile men with leukocytospermia.