OBJECTIVE: To examine the nonenzymatic antioxidant properties of human seminal plasma. DESIGN: Determination of total (peroxyl) radical-trapping antioxidant parameter and malondialdehyde concentration in seminal plasma of 112 men attending IVF-ET or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) programs. SETTING: University-based center for reproductive medicine. PATIENT(S): Normozoospermic men, ages 25 to 50 years, of fertility proved by a pregnancy resulting from IVF-ET, and men ages 25 to 50 years with negative IVF-ET or ICSI outcome, distinguished by their smoking status. INTERVENTION(S): Seminal plasma was obtained from ejaculates collected for IVF-ET or ICSI procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Total (peroxyl) radical-trapping antioxidant parameter and malondialdehyde concentrations. RESULT(S): No significant differences for total (peroxyl)-radical-trapping antioxidant parameter were observed between normozoospermic IVF-ET or asthenozoospermic ICSI patients; neither was a difference revealed for pregnancy-positive or -negative couples within those groups. Age, smoking status, or increased leukocyte count had no effect on total (peroxyl) radical-trapping antioxidant parameter or malondialdehyde concentrations in seminal plasma. CONCLUSION(S): Nonenzymatic antioxidant activity in seminal plasma does not reflect sperm fecundity ability.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the nonenzymatic antioxidant properties of human seminal plasma. DESIGN: Determination of total (peroxyl) radical-trapping antioxidant parameter and malondialdehyde concentration in seminal plasma of 112 men attending IVF-ET or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) programs. SETTING: University-based center for reproductive medicine. PATIENT(S): Normozoospermic men, ages 25 to 50 years, of fertility proved by a pregnancy resulting from IVF-ET, and men ages 25 to 50 years with negative IVF-ET or ICSI outcome, distinguished by their smoking status. INTERVENTION(S): Seminal plasma was obtained from ejaculates collected for IVF-ET or ICSI procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Total (peroxyl) radical-trapping antioxidant parameter and malondialdehyde concentrations. RESULT(S): No significant differences for total (peroxyl)-radical-trapping antioxidant parameter were observed between normozoospermic IVF-ET or asthenozoospermic ICSIpatients; neither was a difference revealed for pregnancy-positive or -negative couples within those groups. Age, smoking status, or increased leukocyte count had no effect on total (peroxyl) radical-trapping antioxidant parameter or malondialdehyde concentrations in seminal plasma. CONCLUSION(S): Nonenzymatic antioxidant activity in seminal plasma does not reflect sperm fecundity ability.