Oxygen free radicals and mitochondrial signaling in oligospermia and asthenospermia

Zhang,Wei‑Dong; Zhang,Zhan; Jia,Li‑Ting; Zhang,Lin‑Lin; Fu,Teng; Li,Yu‑Shan; Wang,Peng; Sun,Lin; Shi,Ying; Zhang,Hui‑Zhen

doi:10.3892/mmr.2014.2428

October 2014 Volume 10 Issue 4

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October 2014 Volume 10 Issue 4

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Article

Oxygen free radicals and mitochondrial signaling in oligospermia and asthenospermia

Authors:
- Wei‑Dong Zhang
- Zhan Zhang
- Li‑Ting Jia
- Lin‑Lin Zhang
- Teng Fu
- Yu‑Shan Li
- Peng Wang
- Lin Sun
- Ying Shi
- Hui‑Zhen Zhang
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China, Department of General Studies, The New School, New York, NY 10011, USA
Pages: 1875-1880
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Published online on: July 29, 2014

https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2014.2428
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of oxygen free radicals and mitochondrial signaling in semen disorders, in particular, how this induces low concentrations and reduced motility of sperm. Ejaculate samples were obtained from 120 young adult males (mean age, 28.7±5.3 years) with normal semen (n=30), oligospermia (n=30), asthenospermia (n=30) and oligoasthenozoospermia (n=30). The malondialdehyde (MDA) content, total superoxide dismutase (T‑SOD) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‑Px) activity of the sperm samples were determined by enzymatic assays. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was determined by flow cytometric detection of accumulated membrane‑permeable JC‑1 fluorescent dye. The mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis‑associated genes [Bcl‑2, Bax, cytochrome c (Cyt C) and caspase‑3] were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Intergroup differences were evaluated by Student's t‑test. The sperm samples from all semen disorder groups exhibited significantly lower T‑SOD content and GSH‑Px activity (all P<0.05 versus normal sperm), and the extent of reduction revealed a disorder‑associated trend (asthenospermia < oligospermia ≈ oligoasthenozoospermia). By contrast, the semen disorder groups had significantly higher MDA content (all P<0.05 versus normal sperm); the extent of this increase also revealed a disorder‑associated trend (asthenospermia > oligospermia ≈ oligoasthenozoospermia). The sperm from patients with semen disorders also exhibited significantly lower MMP than normal sperm, as evidenced by lower mean ratios of JC‑1+ sperm per group. The semen disorder groups had significantly higher Bax, Cyt C and caspase‑3 mRNA and protein expression levels in the sperm samples, but significantly lower levels of Bcl‑2 (all P<0.05 versus normal sperm). However, only the extent of increases in Cyt C and caspase‑3 exhibited a disorder‑associated trend (oligospermia > asthenospermia). In conclusion, oxygen free radicals may be involved in reduced sperm concentration and motility, possibly through effects on the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway. Perturbed mitochondrial release of Cyt C may be the distinguishing molecular feature between oligospermia and asthenospermia.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Oxygen free radicals and mitochondrial signaling in oligospermia and asthenospermia

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