The Role of Seminal Oxidative Stress Scavenging System in the Pathogenesis of Sperm DNA Damage in Men Exposed and Not Exposed to Genital Heat Stress.

Responding to the need for the verification of some experimental animal studies showing the involvement of oxidative stress in germ cell damage in the heat-induced testis, we investigated the possibility of a direct relationship between seminal oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde concentration) and ejaculated sperm chromatin/DNA integrity (DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation abnormalities) in distinct groups of men exposed and not exposed to prolonged scrotal hyperthermia. A statistical increase in the proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation was observed in all the studied subgroups compared to the fertile men. In turn, the groups subjected to heat stress as professional drivers or infertile men with varicocele presented greater disturbances in the oxidative stress scavenging system than men not exposed to genital heat stress.

Seminal Plasma Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Different Genitourinary Topographical Regions Involved in Reproductive Tract Disorders Associated with Genital Heat Stress.

The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for male subfertility/infertility caused by or complicated by genital heat stress remains unclear in many respects. Because seminal plasma creates the environment for the proper functioning of spermatozoa, in this study, we verified the associations among standard spermiograms, seminal biochemical parameters (neutral alpha-glucosidase, fructose, and citric acid) and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde concentration) in distinct entities associated with male infertility with and without long-time exposure to local hyperthermia. We demonstrated that men exposed to prolonged environmental or clinically recognized local heat stress in adulthood may suffer from dysregulation of seminal antioxidant components, which can be directly associated with epididymal and prostate function.

[Novel aspects of human infertility: the role of the male factor].

In the article new aspects of the 'male factor' and its role in early stages of pregnancy are described. Among others, genetic and immunogenetic (KIR/KAR, HLA) factors are underlined as well as immunological ones (e.g.

[Flow cytometry application in the evaluation of antisperm antibodies in sera samples of infertile people and prepubertal boys with gonadal disorders].

Objectives: The aim of the following study was to assess antisperm antibodies in sera samples of infertile men and women, as well as from prepubertal boys by means of flow cytometry.

Material And Methods: We tested sera samples of infertile and fertile adult populations, prepubertal boys with gonadal disorders and healthy prepubertal boys. The indirect immunobead test and flow cytometry were used to detect antisperm antibodies.

Cryptorchidism and long-term consequences.

Cryptorchidism has been on the rise for several decades and can be observed with frequency of 1-2% of males within the first year of age. It may appear as an isolated disorder or can be a consequence of genetic and endocrine abnormalities connected with somatic anomalies. Its genetic background still seems to be unclear although a range of genes can be responsible for the development of this syndrome.

Antisperm antibodies in prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism.

The presence of antisperm antibodies in male individuals before puberty is controversial due to the lack of finally differentiated male germ cells. It was questioned whether the pathologic conditions of the male gonad may influence antisperm antibody formation in individuals before puberty. Sera samples of 76 individuals and 10 healthy boys with testicular failure (mainly uni- or bilateral cryptorchidism) were examined by means of indirect immunobead-binding test (IDIBT).