Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Lipid Peroxidation and Nitric Oxide Levels in Male Smokers' Spermatozoa and their Relation with Sperm Motility

Authors
Mohammad Ali Ghaffari 1
Morad Rostami 2
1 Physiology Research Center, Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Biochemistry, School o
2 Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from L-arginine by a family of enzymes known as nitric oxide synthases. Low concentrations of NO is essential in biology and physiology of spermatozoa, but high amounts of NO is toxic and has negative effects on sperm functions. Moreover, sperm membrane contains high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are highly susceptible to oxidative damage that interferes with fertilization ability. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between levels of sperm malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO with sperm motility in male smokers. Methods: Semen samples were collected from normozoospermic smoker (n=64) and nonsmoker (n=83) men. The content of sperm lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA). The sperm NO were also measured using Griess reagent. Data was analyzed by SPSS, (version 15.0), using independent t-test and Pearson analysis. Results: The mean MDA and NO concentrations in the sperm of normozoospermic male smokers were significantly higher than the control group or normozoospermic nonsmokers, (p
Keywords
Cigarette smoking
Human sperm
Lipid peroxidation
nitric oxide
Smoker men
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Journal of Reproduction & Infertility
Volume 13, Issue 2
Spring 2012
Pages 81-87