Protective effect of antioxidants on the impairment of sperm motility by activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

OBJECTIVE

To test the ability of antioxidants to reduce the loss of sperm motility caused by reactive oxygen species generated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML).

DESIGN

Standardized preparations of leukocyte-contaminated semen were created by suspending known concentrations of purified spermatozoa and PML in seminal plasma. After the stimulation of reactive oxygen species generation with phorbol ester, the spermatozoa were washed and incubated in culture medium before an analysis of their movement. The ability of antioxidants to counteract the free radical-induced loss of sperm motility observed under these circumstances was assessed.

SETTING

An institutional research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

The semen was obtained from normal volunteers.

INTERVENTIONS

The following were tested: vitamins C and E, dimethylsulfoxide, catalase, hypotaurine, N-acetylcysteine, and reduced glutathione.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Reactive oxygen species generation was monitored by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Sperm motility was assessed manually and by computer-aided semen analysis.

RESULTS

Consistent impairment of sperm motility and average path velocity was observed in the presence of activated PML. This effect was reduced by the concomitant presence of glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, hypotaurine, and catalase.

CONCLUSION

Antioxidants can protect against the damaging effect of leukocyte-derived reactive oxygen species on sperm movement and may be of clinical value in assisted conception procedures.