Exploration of oxidative stress biomarker and hormonal parameters in female with different causes of infertility

Infertility a global health issue linked with untoward psychological and social impacts is due to a number of contributing factors; one of which is oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine the potential association of oxidative stress biomarker malondialdehyde (MDA) and the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) with different etiologies of infertility such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, unexplained infertility and male factor.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Aga Khan University from December, 2023 to November, 2024 on one hundred infertile women aged 18 till 45 years recruited from Australian Concept Infertility Medical Centre in Karachi. Baseline demographics and body mass index (BMI) were recorded and serum levels of MDA, SOD2, Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH,) and female reproductive hormones were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Statistical analyses employed binary logistic regression analysis for association of OS with causes of infertility using univariate and multivariate models, Spearman rank correlations and Kruskal-Wallis tests for correlations and comparison of parameters among different causes of infertility.

Females with PCOS were found to have higher BMI in comparison to male factor and unexplained infertility groups (p<0.05). Serum MDA levels were higher than serum SOD2 levels in PCOS group compared to male factor indicating the elevated lipid peroxidation and redox imbalance.

Among the various infertility aetiologies, women with PCOS demonstrated the most marked oxidative imbalance, characterized by elevated MDA levels and a significant inverse correlation with the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme SOD2.