Associations between oxidative stress biomarkers in different body fluids and reproductive parameters in male partners of subfertile couples

Abstract Objective To evaluate the relationships between oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in blood serum and seminal plasma, and their associations with semen quality and serum reproductive hormone concentrations in potential subfertile men. Material and method A cross-sectional study was conducted on men ( n  = 122) attending an infertility clinic in the Murcia Region (Southern Spain) between 2012 and 2013. Concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and TAC were measured in blood and semen. Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, testosterone, prolactin and oestradiol concentrations were measured in serum. Semen analyses were performed according to World Health Organization criteria. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression models were performed, controlling for important covariates. Results There was a significant inverse association between serum MDA concentrations and all sperm parameters, except for seminal volume. Serum TAC concentrations were positively related to sperm count and motility. A positive association was observed between seminal plasma NO levels and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm. With regard to reproductive hormones, serum MDA concentrations were positively related to FSH and LH levels, and TAC inversely associated with FSH levels. Conclusions Our results suggest that oxidative stress may be associated with semen parameters and reproductive hormone levels in male partners of couples seeking infertility treatment. However, further studies are needed to confirm and extend these findings, in particular, with regard to serum reproductive hormones.