RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS FOR RESIDUAL SPERM CYTOPLASM, REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES GENERATION, AND THE PRESENCE OF LEUKOCYTES AND PRECURSOR GERM-CELLS IN HUMAN SPERM SUSPENSIONS

In this study, we have examined the relationship between creatine phos phokinase (CPK), a biochemical measure of human sperm quality (Huszar et al., 1988a,b, 1990; Huszar and Vigue, 1994), and a marker for the p resence of residual cytoplasm in human spermatozoa, glucose-6-phosphat e dehydrogenase (G6PDH). We then determined whether the diagnostic pot ential of these enzymes was related to the capacity of the sperm suspe nsions to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or the presence o f leukocytes and precursor germ cells. Across the data set as a whole, G6PDH and CPK were highly correlated with each other and, to a lesser extent, with the generation of ROS. Contamination of the sperm suspen sions with leukocytes might have contributed to these associations, si nce the presence of such cells was also significantly correlated with CPK, G6PDH, and ROS. However, even after the leukocytes had been caref ully removed, G6PDH was still highly correlated with CPK (r = 0.794), indicating that both criteria were providing similar information on th e cytosolic component of human sperm suspensions. In the absence of le ukocyte contamination, CPK and G6PDH activities were also correlated w ith the presence of precursor germ cells, and this association may, in part, explain the diagnostic value of these criteria. An additional c omponent of their prognostic value may be reflected in the statistical ly significant association observed between G6PDH activity and ROS gen eration. A possible mechanism for such an association is suggested, wh ich should be amenable to experimental verification. (C) 1994 Wiiey-Li ss, Inc.