Supervisors info:
Δρακάκης Πέτρος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπων
Μαυρογιάννη Δέσποινα, ΕΔΙΠ, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Σταύρος Σοφοκλής, Ακαδημαϊκός Υπότροφος, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Nowadays, it is estimated that around 15% of the couples worldwide face difficulties in conceiving a child. The male partner seems to be involved in 50% of the cases. A number of factors are capable of affecting male fertility. Of particular interest is the fact that more and more studies are linking increased oxidative stress to infertility. The term oxidative stress refers to a condition in which levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceed the antioxidant defence capacity, making them toxic to a biological system. In the case of sperm, studies have shown that extended oxidative stress increases the possibility of sperm DNA damage, causes peroxidation of membrane lipids and induces apoptosis. Various pathological conditions or factors may be blamed for increasing oxidative stress in sperm and therefore a further understanding of its involvement in male infertility is essential for the early diagnosis, the appropriate treatment and the achievement of pregnancy. The present study is performed to correlate oxidative stress in sperm with life style, genetic, microbiological and hormonal parameters that affect male infertility. During the procedure, participants have been asked to sign an informed consent to participate in the study and complete their medical history. Then, they have undergone the following diagnostic and non-invasive tests by taking a sample of: a) blood (Karyotype, Cystic Fibrosis Mutation ΔF508, Sugar Measurement, TSH, FREE T4, FSH, TESTO, prolactin, homocysteine) and b) sperm (Oxidative Stress Analysis, Semen Analysis, PCR for Chlamydia, Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma and aerobic/anaerobic culture). For statistical analysis, the study population was divided into two groups. Men with normal oxidative stress were the first group while those with increased oxidative stress were the second one. According to our results, a statistically significant difference has been observed in the serum homocysteine levels between the two groups. In addition, FSH levels have been spotted to appear to be higher in men with oxidative stress. Finally, it has been shown that men with lower sperm concentration and fewer sperm with fast and total progressive motility have increased oxidative stress. This fact confirms that oxidative stress is associated with male infertility. Moreover, the correlation of the above parameters with oxidative stress facilitates its optimal management.
Keywords:
ROS, Oxidative stress, Semen, Sperm, Male infertility