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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004; 112(3): 131-134
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-817821
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Antioxidant Capacity in Seminal Plasma of Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemic Patients[*]

A. Carpino1 , P. Tarantino1 , V. Rago1 , V. De Sanctis2 , L. Siciliano1
  • 1Department of Cell Biology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
  • 2Department of Reproduction and Growth, Adolescency and Thalassemia, Arcispedale S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: January 16, 2003 First decision: March 17, 2003

Accepted: October 6, 2003

Publication Date:
30 March 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Background

Homozygous β-thalassemia is a haemolytic disorder with a high potential for oxidative damage, due to the high circulating iron levels. Enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant capacities, as well as lipoperoxide content, were investigated in seminal plasma of these patients to evaluate a possible oxidative stress.

Methods

Semen samples from 10 transfusion-dependent β-thalassemic patients and 18 control subjects were examined. The assessment of the seminal antioxidant capacity included spectrophotometrical assays for determination of superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and of the total antioxidant status value. Furthermore, malondialdehyde level was detected as marker of lipoperoxidation.

Results

All the β-thalassemic patients showed high serum ferritin levels, progressive sperm motility below 50 %, and normal sperm count (median: 43 × 106 sperm/ml). Increased superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01) and catalase (p < 0.001) activities, but unaltered total antioxidant status values, were detected in the patients' seminal plasma. Furthermore, augmented malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.001) were measured in the patients.

Conclusions

Seminal antioxidant pattern of iron overloaded β-thalassemic patients indicated the hyperactivation of the enzymatic free-radical scavengers which could be explained as a compensatory mechanism to possible high levels of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, the increase of seminal lipoperoxidation suggested an oxidative stress in semen of these patients and it could have contributed to the impairment of sperm motility.

Key words

Catalase - human semen - iron overload - superoxide dismutase - thalassemia major - total antioxidant status

1 Financial support: This work was supported by “Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica”.

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1 Financial support: This work was supported by “Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica”.

Dr. Amalia Carpino

Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare · Faculty of Pharmacy · Università degli Studi della Calabria

Arcavacata di Rende

87030 Cosenza

Italy

Phone: + 390984492924

Fax: + 39 09 84 49 29 11

Email: am_carpino@yahoo.it