BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN SPERM FUNCTION ASSESSMENT
Main researcher
: GAVELLA, MIRJANA (13190) Assistants
LIPOVAC, VASKRESENIJA (25994)
CVITKOVIĆ, PETAR (7430)
Type of research: basic Duration from: 01/01/91. to 01/01/95. Papers on project (total): 13
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 6
Institution name: Institut za dijabetes, endokrinologiju i bolesti metabolizma "Vuk Vrhovac", Zagreb (45) Department/Institute: department of laboratory medicine Address: Dugi Dol 4a City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)1 2332-222
Fax: 385 (0)1 2331-515
Summary: Original study was carried out to define at biochemical
level the nature of the lesions causing sperm function impairment and
subsequently the impairment of sperm fertility potential.The etiology of
defective sperm function was studied and results obtained as follows: 1) -
alteration of specific activity of NADH-dependent
oxidoreductase(diaphorase),an enzyme located in the middle part of the
spermatozoa and involved in sperm metabolism. The manyfold increase in the
activity of this enzyme in oligozoospermic patients indicates higher
proportion of defective sperms which retained cytoplasmic material during
spermiogenesis. 2) -relationship between diaphorase, isozyme LDH-C4 and
superoxide anion. A positive correlation between superoxide anion
production and diaphorase activity indicates that only sperms with
negligible superoxide anion generation and low diaphorase activity can be
considered as functionally competent.3) - relationship between reactive
oxygen species generation and the functional competence of human
spermatozoa.The observed in vitro effect of superoxide anion on sperm
membrane measured by ability of hypoosmotic sperm tail swelling points to
the changes of functional integrity and membrane fluidity of sperms
resulting in decreased fertility potential.4) - inhibitory effect of some
drugs on the excessive superoxide anion generation.Superoxide anion
production was reduced by 29-72% following the addition of 10 mM
pentoxifylline which did not depend on the initial superoxide production
by sperm.The significant inhibition of superoxide anion release with lower
concentration of 3.7 mM pentoxifylline in sperm prepared for in vitro
fertilization procedures was also established. These results point to a
potential use for pentoxifylline a) in the treatment of male infertility
caused by excessive reactive oxygen species production and b)in
improvement of sperm preparation for in vitro fertilization. 5)
-stimulatory effect of pentoxifylline or experimentally induced lipid
peroxidation of sperm plasma membrane. Induction of lipid peroxidation in
the presence of pentoxifylline and ferrous/ascorbate ions promotors may
have an adverse effect on the quality of sperm suspensions prepared for
in vitro fertilization.
Research goals: The study was aimed to obtain relevant knowledge on
the mechanism determining male fertility and/or infertility. From the
viewpoint of an infertile couple and their andrologist,there is no firm
background for diagnosing and introduction of adequate therapy.Despite
attempts to solve this problem pragmatically, it is evidenced today that
the determination of male infertility depends not only on possible sperm
number deficiency but also on the deficiency of the functionally competent
sperms.Additionally,there is not enough knowledge on biochemical and
biological functions of semen components and their relationship.It is
quite positive,however, that these are the important factors by which
fertility,i.e. infertility can be affected. Therefore this study was
carried out to identify those sperm function deficiences which could serve
as specific biochemical markers of sperm quality. The study was aimed to
evidence a) alterations of some enzymes participating in the metabolic
pathways to provide energy necessary for sperm motility b) sperm membrane
alterations as the results of sperm exposure to oxidative stress and c)
new prospects in developing adequate therapy arise by defining some
biochemical alterations in case of functional sperm defects.Therefore,in
vitro effects of potential agents which could affect the superoxide anion
generation, such as pentoxifylline,were investigated.
COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS
Name of institution
: Institut "Rudjer Bošković" Odjel za
eksperimentalnu biologiju i medicinu Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia Other information about the project.