Seminal plasma superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in infertile men

We undertook this study to investigate lipid peroxide levels and the activi ties of two enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, in fertile (n = 66) and normozoospermic infertile, oligozoospermic, asthenozoospermic and azoo spermic males (n = 92). The results show significantly high seminal plasma lipid peroxide levels in normozoospermic infertile and asthenozoospermic me n. Moreover, we found significantly reduced activity of the enzyme superoxi de dismutase in all groups, except for those having oligozoospermia. Catala se activity was significantly lower in all infertile males. Elevated lipid peroxide levels along with depressed antioxidant enzyme activities highligh t the role of free radicals in male infertility. Med Sci Res 27:201-203 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.