Relationship between human sperm lipid peroxidation, comprehensive qualityparameters and IVF outcome

The membranes of human spermatozoa contain an extremely high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids and are therefore susceptible to lipid perox idation damage. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the association between the lipid peroxidation levels of washed spermatozoa, as indicated by thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance concentration, and: (a ) semen quality evaluated by basic routine, biochemical, cytological and qu antitative ultramorphological analyses; (b) IVF fertilization rate. Semen s amples from 45 male partners of couples who had been referred for IVF treat ment due to a female infertility factor were evaluated for quality as well as for thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance concentrations. The latter we re found to have a negative correlation with total sperm count, semen volum e, zinc/fructose ratio, and the integrity of sperm acrosome and axonema. It was suggested that lipid peroxidation has a deleterious effect on the ultr amorphological status of the sperm cells and, thereby, on the male fertiliz ation potential. The content of the seminal fluid, about 30% of which is pr oduced by the prostate, may protect spermatozoa from this destructive proce ss. A negative correlation was also found between thiobarbituric-acid-re ac tive substance concentrations and IVF fertilization rate. When the patients were subdivided into fertilizing (fertilization rate >0%) and nonfertilizi ng (fertilization rate = 0%) subgroups (n = 33 and n = 12, respectively), t he former exhibited significantly lower thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substa nce concentrations than the latter. A new IVF fertilization index based on the lipid peroxidation level was established. This index had a predictive p ower of 93% (94% sensitivity and 92% specificity). The clinical value of th is index should be further verified.