The activities of catalase in the spermatozoa and seminalplasma of patients with asethenospermia; and their relationship with oxidants and antioxidants

Abstract EN

The exact oxidants and antioxidants status in the seminal and spermatozoa patients with asthenospermia is still not clear.

To add a new insight to the question, changes in the seminal and spermatozoa lipid peroxidation products (MDA), levels of glutathione (GSH) and activities of antioxidant enzyme catalase were measured in patients with asthenospermia.

This work was undertaken to assess oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with asthenospermia.

The study was conducted on 30 patients and compared to 20 controls.

Statistical analysis between group 1 (controls) and group 2(patients) was performed by the student's t-test.

It was observed that there was a significant increase in seminal and spermatozoa catalase activity and MDA levels; and a significant decrease in seminal and spermatozoa GSH in patients with asthenospermia when compared to controls.

The results of this study suggest higher oxygen-free radical production, evidenced by increased MDA levels and catalase activities and decreased GSH levels, support to the oxidative stress in asthenospermia.

The increased activities of antioxidant enzyme may be a compensatory regulation in response to increased oxidative stress.