Leukocytes and oxidative stress： dilemma for sperm Function and male fertility

作     者：Ralf R Henkel 

作者机构：Department of Medical Biosciences University of the Western Cape Bellville 7535 South Africa 

出 版 物：《Asian Journal of Andrology》 (亚洲男性学杂志（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2011年第13卷第1期

页      面：43-52页

核心收录：

学科分类：0710[理学-生物学] 071010[理学-生物化学与分子生物学] 081702[工学-化学工艺] 1002[医学-临床医学] 081704[工学-应用化学] 07[理学] 08[工学] 0817[工学-化学工程与技术] 

主　　题：antioxidants balance beneficial effects detrimental effects leukocytes male infertility reactive oxygen species sperm functions 

摘      要：Spermatozoa are constantly exposed to the interphase between oxidation through high amounts of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and leukocytes, and reduction by means of scavengers and antioxidants. Considering the very special functions as being the only cells with such high polarization and exerting their functions outside the body, even in a different individual, the female genital tract, the membranes of these cells are chemically composed of an extraordinary high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This in turn, renders them very susceptible to oxidative stress, which is defined as an imbalance between oxidation and reduction towards the oxidative status. As a result, ROS deriving from both leukocytes and the male germ cells themselves cause a process called ＇lipid peroxidation＇ and other damages to the sperm cell. On the other hand, a certain limited amount of ROS iS essential in order to trigger vital physiological reactions in cells, including capacitation or the acrosome reaction in sperm. The treatment of patients with antioxidants to compensate the oxidative status caused by oxidative stress is highly debated as uncontrolled antioxidative treatment might derail the system towards the reduced status, which is also unphysiological and can even induce cancer. This paradox is called the ＇antioxidant paradox＇. Therefore, a proper andrological diagnostic work-up, including the evaluation of ROS levels and the antioxidant capacity of the semen, has to he carried out beforehand, aimed at keeping the fine balance between oxidation and scavenging of vital amounts of ROS.