The Impact of Oxidative Stress Indicators on Semen Characteristics in Obese and Non-Obese Infertile Men

Javed Z, Abbas Z, Adil MA, Habib R and Jafar A

Published on: 2024-12-22

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a significant global health concern, affecting approximately 10% to 15% of couples of reproductive ages. The interplay between free radicals, oxidative stress, and fertility remains an area of ongoing research, particularly regarding how these factors contribute to unexplained infertility. This study aimed to the role of oxidative stress indicators on semen characteristics in obese and non-obese infertile men referring to Royan Institute

Materials and Methods: 280 patients presenting with infertility symptoms were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A comprehensive semen analysis was conducted, encompassing the evaluation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, Sperm Plasma Membrane Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) using flow cytometry, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). The participants were categorized based on their Body Mass Index (BMI) to compare findings between obese and non-obese groups.

Results: The analysis revealed compelling evidence that BMI and age significantly influence male fertility, especially in the context of obesity. Strong correlations were observed between BMI and alterations in ROS levels, as well as reductions in TAC. The infertile obese group showed a significant decrease in TAC compared to controls and overweight infertile groups, emphasizing the detrimental effects of obesity on antioxidant defense mechanisms. Furthermore, substantial reductions in sperm count, total sperm motility, and normal morphology were noted in the infertile obese group. In contrast, there was an increase in non-motile sperm and teratozoospermia index, indicating a significant deterioration in sperm quality that likely impacts fertility. Although other oxidative stress markers such as LPO and DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) did not demonstrate significant changes, the impairment of TAC highlighted a nuanced relationship between oxidative stress and fertility. Importantly, lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol intake did not show statistical significance, reinforcing the role of age and BMI as primary determinants of male fertility in this population.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to manage obesity and its associated oxidative stress, aiming to improve sperm quality and enhance fertility outcomes for affected individuals. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms connecting obesity, oxidative stress, and male reproductive health.