Ethnic features of antioxidant status in men with infertility

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The study of the influence of ethnicity on human health is relevant at present. AIM: To evaluate the antioxidant status of blood and ejaculation in infertile men in different ethnic groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results of a survey of 222 Caucasians and 143 Mongoloids with pathozoospermia from infertile couples were used for the current retrospective analysis. The control groups comprised healthy men with realized reproductive function (97 Mongoloids and 104 Caucasians). The materials for biochemical studies were blood plasma and ejaculate. The analyses involved the use of spectrophotometric, fluorometric, and statistical methods of research. In the blood and ejaculate of the examined men, the total antioxidant activity was determined as an indicator characterizing the total activity of lipid peroxidation inhibitors and determining its buffer capacity, the concentration of fat-soluble vitamins retinol and -tocopherol, and the level of superoxide dismutase. RESULTS: The blood of Caucasian men with infertility was compared with that of fertile donors. The analysis revealed a decrease in the concentration of retinol by 27% (р=0.0001) and -tocopherol by 25% (р 0.0001), as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase by 5% (р=0.0002). In the ejaculation of male Caucasians with infertility, we discovered a decrease in the concentration of -tocopherol by 17% (р=0.0011) and an increase in total antioxidant activity by 21% (р=0,0004). The antioxidant defense system in Mongoloid men was characterized by an increase in retinol concentration by 24% (р=0.0002) and total antioxidant activity by 13% (р=0.0261), as well as a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity by 8% (р=0.0001). The results of the study of the antioxidant defense system in the ejaculate of Mongoloid men with infertility showed a decrease in the concentration of -tocopherol by 15% (р=0,0322) and an increase in the level of total antioxidant activity by 17% (р=0.0432). CONCLUSION: The data gathered allowed for an evaluation of the characteristics and the role of the antioxidant status in the general homeostasis of the organism of males of various ethnicity, who are infertile, despite being of reproductive age. A common mechanism for reproductive dysfunction present in the two ethnic groups is the lack of -tocopherol concentration and a compensatory increase in the total antioxidant activity in the ejaculate, as well as a decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase in the blood of the examined men. The blood of Mongoloids is characterized by a compensatory-adaptive increase in the total antioxidant activity and retinol concentration, which contrasts with Caucasians, whose antioxidant status of blood is characterized by the inhibition of the non-enzymatic link of antioxidant protection.