A regulatory role of sulfhydryl groups in modulation of sperm membrane conformation by heavy metals: sulfhydryl groups as markers for infertility assessment.

Sperm membrane sulfhydryl groups, when masked by heavy metals like cobalt and copper at very low concentration (10(-9)) shows inhibition of lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation is suggested to lead to reduction in membrane fluidity, a prerequisite for normal sperm function. Augmentation of lipid peroxidation by pentoxifylline in oligospermia provides evidence to this hypothesis that membrane sulfhydryls play a regulatory role in membrane modulation. It is therefore suggested that these sulfhydryl groups can be used as a tool for infertility assessment in unexplained male infertility.