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Potential role of reactive oxygen species on testicular pathology associated with infertility
1Department of Urology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Turkey. koksal@med.akdeniz.edu.tr
Aim:
To investigate the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a direct indicator of lipid peroxidation-induced injury by reactive oxygen species (ROS), in testicular biopsy specimens from infertile patients.
Methods:
Levels of MDA were measured in testicular biopsy specimens from 29 consequent-randomized infertile men, aged 29.58+/-4.76 (21 to approximately 45) years. All patients were evaluated by a complete medical and reproductive history, physical examination, semen analysis (at least two), serum follicle-stimulating hormone and free testosterone levels, testicular biopsy and contact imprint. Scrotal colour Doppler ultrasonography was used to confirm suspected varicocele. The testicular MDA level was measured using the thiobarbituric acid test and the results were expressed per unit tissue weight.
Results:
As a causal factor in infertility, varicocele was identified in 17 (58.6 %) patients, and idiopathic infertility, testicular failure and obstruction in 4 (13.8 %) patients each. The testicular MDA level was 13.56 (6.01), 49.56 (24.04), 58.53 (48.07), and 32.64 (21.51), 32.72 (13.61), 23.07 (7.82), 42,12 (34.76) pmol/mg tissue in the normal spermatogenesis (control), late maturation arrest, Sertoli cell only (SCO) and hypospermatogenesis (mild, moderate, severe) groups, respectively. The elevation of MDA levels was significant in the testicular tissue from SCO and maturation arrest groups compared with the controls (P<0.05). In addition, the elevation in testicular MDA levels between the SCO and the moderate hypospermatogenesis, and the moderate hypospermatogenesis and the maturation arrest groups was significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Severe pathologic changes in the testicular tissue are associated with a high level of lipid peroxidation. These findings suggest that overproduction of ROS may play a role in the mechanism of testicular degeneration associated with infertility.
Insights
Infertility in men is linked to increased lipid peroxidation, indicated by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in testicular tissue. This suggests reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to testicular damage and male infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Oxidative Stress Research
- Andrology
Background:
- Male infertility affects a significant portion of the reproductive-age population.
- Lipid peroxidation, a marker of oxidative stress, is implicated in various pathologies.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage cellular components, including testicular tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in testicular biopsy specimens from infertile men.
- To investigate the association between MDA levels and different causes of male infertility.
- To explore the role of lipid peroxidation in testicular degeneration.
Main Methods:
- Testicular biopsy specimens were collected from 29 infertile men.
- Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using the thiobarbituric acid test.
- Patients underwent comprehensive reproductive evaluation, including semen analysis and hormone assays.
Main Results:
- Elevated testicular MDA levels were observed in infertile patients compared to controls.
- Significantly higher MDA levels were found in patients with Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome and maturation arrest.
- Varicocele was identified as a causal factor in over half of the studied infertile men.
Conclusions:
- Severe testicular pathology in infertile men is associated with high levels of lipid peroxidation.
- Overproduction of ROS likely contributes to testicular degeneration and infertility.
- MDA measurement in testicular tissue may serve as an indicator of oxidative stress-related infertility.