Is oxidative stress an etiologic factor in idiopathic male infertility?

Aim: The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total peroxide (TP) levels in the blood and seminal plasma of idiopathic infertile patients were compared with those of fertile controls to determine the role of oxidative stress in the etiology of idiopathic male infertility.Material and methods: Thirty-two idiopathic infertile males and 30 healthy, married, age-matched control subjects were included in the study. TAC and TP levels were measured in the blood and seminal plasma, and sperm parameters were studied in both groups. Results: Sperm parameters were significantly impaired in the study group compared with the controls. Blood plasma TAC and TP levels in the patient group were 1.46 ± 0.62 mmol Trolox equiv./L and 8.38 ± 0.87 mmol H2O2/L, respectively,compared with 1.72 ± 1.70 mmol Trolox equiv./L and 8.59 ± 1.08 mmol H2O2/L in the control group. Seminal plasma TAC and TP levels in the patient and control groups were 13.48 ± 2.03 mmol Trolox equiv./L, 7.79 ± 0.38 mmol H2O2/L, 14.06± 2.30 mmol Trolox equiv./L, and 7.84 ± 0.51 mmol H2O2/L, respectively. TAC and TP levels in the blood and seminal plasma did not differ significantly between the patient group and the control group.Conclusion: These findings suggest that oxidative stress is not the cause of impaired sperm parameters in idiopathic infertile men.