The Role of Oxidative Stress, Selected Metals, and Parameters of the Immune System in Male Fertility

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between standard semen parameters and the parameters reflecting oxidative stress intensity, antioxidant defense functions, levels of selected macro and trace elements, and parameters characterizing immune system function. The study group consisted of 103 fertile males. Based on semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, and percentage of motile sperm at 1 hour postcollection, the individuals were divided into two equal groups—those with excellent (EX) semen quality and those with mediocre (ME) semen quality. The remaining measured parameters characterizing motility and the percentage of normal morphology were higher in the EX group than in the ME group; however, the seminal plasma pH did not differ between the examined groups. The phosphate level was 31% lower in the EX group than in the ME group, whereas there was a tendency toward a 25% lower level of Fe in the EX group than in the ME group (p=0.064). The activities of enzymes involved in antioxidant defense, CuZn-SOD, CAT, and G6PD, were 14%, 63%, and 39%, respectively, higher in the EX group than in the ME group. However, the level of alpha-tocopherol was 32% lower in the EX group than in the ME group. The other measured parameters characterizing antioxidant defense and the parameters of oxidative stress intensity and immune system function were not significantly different. The value of seminal plasma pH is not related to the semen quality of fertile males. Higher fertility potential estimated based on standard semen parameters in fertile males is associated with lower levels of Fe and higher activities of some antioxidant enzymes.