Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Male Infertility: Evaluating Biomarkers and Their Relationship to Sperm Quality

Abstract

Background: Male infertility is a significant global health issue often linked to impaired sperm parameters. Oxidative stress, an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants, plays a role in the development of male infertility. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and apoptotic regulatory markers on sperm quality of infertile men.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 men aged 21-45 years, divided into a control group (n=61) and an infertile group (n=123). Semen samples were analyzed following WHO guidelines. Seminal plasma was used to quantify malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase and spectrophotometrically, whereas BAX, BCL-2, and 8-OHdG were assayed using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The result revealed that MDA, BAX and 8-OHdG were significantly increased in infertile males compared to fertile males (0.95 ± 0.84 vs 0.84 ± 0.032µmol/l), (61.84 ± 5.86 vs 46.00 ± 1.18 µmol/l) and (4.54 ± 1.12 vs 1.62 ± 0.68 ng/mL), respectively, p<0.001. GPx, SOD, CAT and BCL-2 were significantly decreased in infertile males compared to fertile males (16.70 ± 3.53 vs 26.15 ± 1.10U/L), (0.60 ± 0.19 vs 0.81 ± 0.18U/L), (12.99 ± 1.60 vs 14.18 ± 1.84U/L) and (149.76 ± 11.37 vs 184.81 ± 2.48 µmol/l) respectively p<0.001. BAX correlates positively with MDA and 8-OHdG (p < 0.01) and inversely correlates with BCL-2, GPx, SOD, and catalase (p < 0.01). 

Conclusion: Male infertility is characterized by severe oxidative stress and DNA damage, coupled with a depleted antioxidant defense system and impaired anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating oxidative stress and modulating apoptotic pathways, potentially through antioxidant interventions or specific pathway modulation, should be explored as promising avenues for improving male fertility outcomes.