Diagnostic value of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in human seminal plasma

ObjectiveTo establish cutoff value, sensitivity, specificity and intra- and interobserver variability of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in seminal plasma from healthy donors (controls) and infertile patients.DesignSeminal plasma from proven fertile donors (n = 55), nonproven fertile donors (n = 45), and infertile patients (n = 42) were examined for TAC level.SettingReproductive research center in a tertiary care hospital.Patient(s)Infertile patients from male infertility clinic of various diagnoses.Intervention(s)Seminal plasma TAC measurement by a colorimetric assay using the TAC assay kit, receiver operating characteristics curve.Main Outcome Measure(s)Seminal plasma TAC levels, cutoff value, sensitivity, and specificity.Result(s)Proven fertile donors showed higher TAC values (median and range): 1700 (1440–2290 μM); compared with the infertile patients: 1310 (1040–1600 μM). The best cutoff to distinguish between fertile controls and infertile men was 1420 μM. At this threshold, specificity was 64% and sensitivity 76%.Conclusion(s)Total antioxidant capacity of the seminal plasma as measured by the colorimetric assay is a reliable and simple test for the diagnosis and management of male infertility.