Effect of cigarette smoking on antioxidant levels and presence of leukocytospermia in infertile men: a prospective study
Received 23 September 2007; received in revised form 22 January 2008; accepted 8 February 2008. published online 07 May 2008.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking on antioxidant levels and the presence of leukocytospermia in infertile men.
Design
Prospective study.
Setting
Academic medical center.
Patient(s)
Ten fertile donors and 112 infertile patients were included in the study.
Intervention(s)
None.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
Semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization guideline. The activity of the superoxide dismutase was based on the adrenochrome concentration, and the catalase activity was determined by the velocity of hydrogen peroxide consumption.
Result(s)
Lower levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase were seen in infertile patients compared with fertile donors. Superoxide dismutase was significantly correlated with sperm concentration and negatively correlated with leukocytospermia. In addition, leukocytospermia was inversely correlated with sperm motility. Superoxide dismutase levels were negatively related to cigarette smoking.
Conclusion(s)
Cigarette smoking may impair sperm motility and decrease the antioxidant activity (negative correlation with superoxide dismutase) in the seminal plasma.
Instituto de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil
Reprint requests: Fabio Firmbach Pasqualotto, M.D., Ph.D., Rua Pinheiro Machado, 2569, sl 23/24, Bairro São Pelegrino, Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil 95020172 (FAX: 55-54-3215-1695).
F.F.P. has nothing to disclose. F.M.U. has nothing to disclose. M.S. has nothing to disclose. E.B. has nothing to disclose. B.P.S. has nothing to disclose. E.B.P. has nothing to disclose.
Supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) process no. 409651/2006-0 and Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa no Rio Grande do Sul (Bolsa de iniciação cientifica).
ABSTRACT