Increased oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage in the spermatozoa of infertile male patients

Objective: To investigate whether a high level of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa occurs in infertile male patients and to examine the influence of antioxidant treatments on the levels of this damage. Design: Controlled clinical study and uncontrolled pilot study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University School of Medicine. Patient(s): Nineteen infertile male and 17 control patients. Intervention(s): The levels of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa of infertile male and control patients were compared. In addition, 14 infertile males were given antioxidants for 2 months. Main Outcome Measure(s): The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a form of oxidative damage, in the spermatozoa were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Result(s): The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in sperm DNA were significantly higher in male infertile patients than in the control patients (1.5 +/- 0.2 versus 1.0 +/- 0.1 per 10(5) deoxyguanosine) and were correlated with sperm concentrations in ejaculates. Antioxidant treatment resulted in significant positive effects on sperm concentrations, with a significant reduction in sperm 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels (from 1.5 +/- 0.2 to 1.1 +/- 0.1 per 10(5) deoxyguanosine). Conclusion(s): Our present data demonstrate an association between the level of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa and male infertility and point to the possible use of antioxidants to reduce this damage. (C) 1997 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.