Influence of iron on sperm motility and selected oxidative stress parameters in fertile males - a pilot study

The presented study was designed to investigate the associations between iron level in seminal plasma and levels of the parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence system and selected cytokines in the seminal plasma of fertile males.

The study population consisted of 65 fertile male volunteers from the southern region of Poland. Based on the medians of the levels of iron in seminal plasma, the study subjects were divided into 2 groups: with low and high levels of iron in seminal plasma (Fe-L and Fe-H).

The percentage of unprogressively motile sperm cells after 1 hour was significantly higher in the Fe-H group, compared to the Fe-L group. The activities of SOD and Mn-SOD and the level of MDA were significantly lower in the Fe-H group, compared to the Fe-L group. However, the value of TOC and OSI were significantly higher in the Fe-H group, compared to the Fe-L group. Median of IL-1β was significantly higher in the Fe-H group, compared to the Fe-L group, whereas medians of IL-2, IL-5, and GM-CSF were significantly lower in the Fe-H group.

In fertile males, iron may negatively affect sperm motility and elevate oxidative stress intensity. Iron additionally modulates the levels of several cytokines in human semen.