SPERM-DAMAGING EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC-CURRENT - POSSIBLE ROLE OF FREE-RADICALS

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sperm damage was e valuated in (a) samples obtained during electroejaculation (EE) of men with spinal cord injury and (b) in electrolyzed HAM's F-10 medium sub jected to electric current in vitro. Chemiluminescence data showed a s ignificant increase in ROS in the ejaculates (6 x 10(7) photons/ml) co llected immediately after EE and in the electrolyzed medium (3 to 7 x 10(6) photons/ml) when compared to the control (4 to 7 x 10(4) photons /ml). Incubation of normal human sperm with the electrolyzed medium re sulted in a significant threefold decrease in percent motility and a t wofold decrease in percent viability. Sperm subjected to direct electr ic stimulation in vitro exhibited a significant twofold decrease in pe rcent motility and percent viability. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activ ity decreased significantly in sperm subjected to direct electric curr ent in comparison to the control or the sample incubated with electrol yzed medium. These studies indicate that in vitro and in vivo electric al stimulation generate reactive oxygen species and affect SOD activit y, which in part are responsible for decreased sperm motion and viabil ity.