Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP89-14
Sources of Funding: Botkinsky Hospital

Introduction

Pathogenic effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are realized in their excess formation (oxidative stress). According to one hypothesis, they promote the increase in sperm DNA fragmentation (DNAF) in patients with idiopathic male infertility. The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) on the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in semen and on the level of sperm DNAF.

Methods

The study included 90 men with idiopathic infertility, the content of ROS in the sperm was above 0.64 mV/sec and the level of sperm DNAF was above 15%. In the main group (n=60) 10 sessions of HBO were performed. In the control group (n=30) HBO sessions were not performed. The age of patients ranged from 25 to 37 years (median - 30.5 years). The level of ROS in semen was studied by chemiluminescence, sperm DNAF was determined by TUNEL. The assessment was made at the time of entry into the study and after 3 months (in the main group - 3 months after HBO).

Results

In the main group, the median level of ROS in semen decreased from 0.89 mV/sec to 0.39 mV/sec (p<0.05), average sperm DNAF after HBO decreased from 33.2 ± 7.5% to 11.9 ± 5.9% (p<0.05), whereas in the control group these figures remained almost at the same level – 0.86 mV/sec and 0.88 mV/sec (p>0.05), 31.2 ± 6.1% and 31.7 ± 6.3% (p>0.05).

Conclusions

HBO is an effective method reducing the number of free oxygen radicals and the number of sperm with DNAF, which can potentially lead to an increased fertility in patients with idiopathic male infertility.

Funding

Botkinsky Hospital