A Novel Combination of γ-Tocopherol-Rich Mixture of Tocopherols and Ascorbic Acid Restores Fertility in Cases of Tyrosine Nitration-Associated Male Infertility in Mice

SCARLATA, ELEONORA; FERNANDEZ, MARIA C.; O?FLAHERTY, CRISTIAN

Antioxidants

MDPY

Lugar: basel; Año: 2020 vol. 9

Abstract: Infertility is an important health problem that affects up to 16% of couples worldwide.Male infertility is responsible for 50% of the cases. Currently, a physical examination, hormoneprofiling and the evaluation of two consecutive semen samples (to determine the sperm concentration,motility, morphology and, in very few cases, sperm DNA integrity) are the sole tools that physicianshave to evaluate infertility in men. Antioxidant therapy is often used to improve sperm quality andfunction in infertile men. However, there are controversial results regarding the efficacy of thesetreatments. Prdx6−/− male mice are subfertile, displaying significant oxidative damage in the lipids,proteins and DNA of their spermatozoa. Here, we used Prdx6−/− male mice to test whether a novelcombination of tocopherols that contained 60% γ-tocopherol and ascorbic acid could restore theirfertility. These mice were fed with the supplemented (Vit. Mix) or control diets. To assess spermquality, we determined the motility, levels of lipid peroxidation, DNA oxidation and tyrosine nitrationin the spermatozoa. The number of pups sired by the Prdx6−/− mice fed with the Vit. Mix diet washigher than that sired by the males fed with the control diet, and the pups? mortality was lower.The sperm quality was improved in the males fed with the supplemented diet. We concluded thattreatment with a supplement composed of tocopherols and rich in γ-tocopherol and ascorbic acid iseffective in restoring fertility in cases where oxidative stress and high levels of tyrosine nitration areassociated with male infertility