OBJECTIVE: To correlate the level of oxidative stress in serum and seminal fluid and the level of sperm DNA fragmentation with sperm mitochondrial respiratory efficiency. METHODS: Sperm mitochondrial respiratory activity was evaluated with a polarographic assay of oxygen consumption carried out in hypotonically-treated sperm cells. A possible relationship between sperm mitochondrial respiratory efficiency, the level of oxidative stress and the level of sperm DNA fragmentation was investigated. RESULTS: Sperm motility was positively correlated with mitochondrial respiration but was negatively correlated with oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation. Interestingly, sperm mitochondrial respiratory activity was negatively affected by oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that sperm mitochondria respiration is decreased in subjects with high levels of ROS by an uncoupling between electron transport and ATP synthesis. This reduction in mitochondrial functionality may be one of the reasons responsible for the decrease in spermatozoa motility.

Oxidative stress negatively affects human sperm mitochondrial respiration

FERRAMOSCA, Alessandra
Primo
;
ZARA, Vincenzo
Ultimo
2013-01-01

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the level of oxidative stress in serum and seminal fluid and the level of sperm DNA fragmentation with sperm mitochondrial respiratory efficiency. METHODS: Sperm mitochondrial respiratory activity was evaluated with a polarographic assay of oxygen consumption carried out in hypotonically-treated sperm cells. A possible relationship between sperm mitochondrial respiratory efficiency, the level of oxidative stress and the level of sperm DNA fragmentation was investigated. RESULTS: Sperm motility was positively correlated with mitochondrial respiration but was negatively correlated with oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation. Interestingly, sperm mitochondrial respiratory activity was negatively affected by oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that sperm mitochondria respiration is decreased in subjects with high levels of ROS by an uncoupling between electron transport and ATP synthesis. This reduction in mitochondrial functionality may be one of the reasons responsible for the decrease in spermatozoa motility.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11587/377473
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