Genetic variants in antioxidant genes are associated with sperm DNA damage and risk of male infertility in a Chinese population

To test the hypothesis that polymorphisms in antioxidant genes are more susceptible to sperm DNA damage and male infertility, we examined 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms from six antioxidant genes (GPX1, CAT, PON1, NQO1, SOD2/MnSOD, and SOD3) in 580 infertility cases and 580 controls from a Chinese population-based case–control study (NJMU Infertility Study). Genotypes were determined using the OpenArray platform. Sperm DNA fragmentation was detected using the Tdt-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay, and the level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in sperm DNA was measured using immunofluorescence. The adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. The results indicated that the PON1 Arg192Glu (rs662) and SOD2 Val16Ala (rs4880) variant genotypes were associated with a significantly higher risk of male infertility. In addition, subjects carrying variant genotypes of both loci had a twofold (95% CI, 1.42–2.90) increase in the risk of male infertility, indicating a significant gene–gene interaction between these two loci (P for multiplicative interaction = 0.045). Moreover, linear regression analysis showed that individuals carrying the PON1 Arg192Glu (rs662) or SOD2 Val16Ala (rs4880) variants have significantly higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation and 8-OHdG. These data suggest that genetic variations in antioxidant genes may contribute to oxidative sperm DNA damage and male infertility.

► Two SNPs (rs662 in PON1 and rs4880 in SOD2) seem to influence the risk of male infertility.
► These two SNPs have strong effects on the levels of sperm DNA fragmentation and of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in sperm DNA.
► A significant gene–gene interaction between these two loci (rs662 and rs4880) on male infertility was found.