Glutathione and glutathione S-transferases A1-1 and P1-1 in seminal plasma may play a role in protecting against oxidative damage to spermatozoa.

Objective: To study the levels of glutathione, glutathione S-transferase A1-1, and glutathione S-transferase P1-1 in seminal fluid of fertile and subfertile men.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Departments of gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynecology, and epidemiology and biostatistics in a university medical center.

Patient(s): Twenty-five subfertile men visiting the fertility clinic and 25 fertile men from midwife practices were recruited.

Intervention(s): Collection of semen of subfertile and fertile men.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Plasma levels of glutathione and glutathione S-transferases A1-1 and P1-1 in relation to seminal characteristics.

Result(s): Glutathione, glutathione S-transferase A1-1, as well as glutathione S-transferase P1-1 were found in considerable amounts in seminal fluid of subfertile and fertile men. No differences between groups were found for glutathione S-transferases A1-1 and P1-1. Also, no associations with sperm count, motility, or morphology could be detected. Fertile men had significantly higher glutathione levels as compared with the case of subfertile men. Associations of glutathione with sperm motility quality (r(s) = 0.321) and abnormal sperm morphology (r(s) = -0.496) were found.

Conclusion(s): The presence of glutathione S-transferases A1-1 and P1-1 in seminal fluid suggests a role in the protection against (oxidative) damage of spermatozoa, whereas glutathione may play a role in male fertility.