Oxidative stress and acrosomal morphology: A cause of infertility in patients with normal semen parameters

IntroductionAcrosome has a vital role in the process of penetration of zona pellucida (ZP). It is highly susceptible to elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS). As generally accepted that OS stress has deteriorating effects on sperm functions, we studied the effect of OS on sperm parameters and acrosomal structure in infertile patients with normal semen parameters.Patients and methods30 infertile patients with normal semen parameters and 20 normal fertile controls were included in this study. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO parameters. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measurement of Malondialdehyde (MDA). Acrosomal anomalies were detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).ResultsStatistically no significant difference was found between infertile patients and controls regarding semen parameters (p value >0.05). MDA values were statistically highly significant in infertile patients than normal controls (p value <0.001). Acrosomal anomalies were statistically highly significant in infertile patients than normal controls (p value <0.001). Acrosomal anomalies were positively correlated with MDA values. Pearson correlation was 0.645 for correlation between redundant or detached acrosome and MDA values and 0.707 for correlation between acrosomal inclusions and MDA values.ConclusionPercentages of MDA values and acrosomal anomalies were higher in infertile patients than normal subjects. The positive correlation between acrosomal anomalies and MDA values means association between OS and acrosomal anomalies which may indicate negative effects of OS on the acrosomal structure.