Oxidative DNA Damage to Sperm Cells and Peripheral Blood Leukocytes in Infertile Men

BACKGROUND: Oxidative DNA damage is associated with male infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative DNA damage of sperm cells and blood leukocytes and to determine the levels of MDA and NO levels in seminal and blood plasma of idiopathic infertile men. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study enrolled 52 patients, including 30 infertile and 22 fertile men. MDA, NO, and 8-OHdG/10(6)dG were estimated using spectrophotometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based methods in seminal and blood plasma. The association with the sperm parameters was assessed, particularly sperm counts and motility. RESULTS: The mean sperm concentration and sperm motility of the fertile men were significantly higher than that of the infertile men. The mean MDA and NO concentration in the seminal and blood samples of the infertile men were higher than that of fertile men. Also, the mean numbers of sperm cells and leukocytes 8-OHdG/10(6)dG of the infertile men were significantly higher than that of fertile men (p=0.04 and p<0.001, respectively). Sperm motility and sperm count were negatively correlated with leukocyte and sperm cell 8-OHdG/10(6)dG ratio. However, progressive motility was significantly negatively correlated with sperm cell and leukocyte 8-OHdG/10(6)dG ratio (R=−0.357, p=0.026; R=−0.388, p=0.024, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress is an important factor in male infertility. Therefore, biochemical detection of 8-OHdG/10(6)dG in sperm cells and blood leukocytes may be an additional tool in the diagnosis of male infertility.