Naslov
In vitro inhibition of superoxide anion production and superoxide dismutase activity by zinc in human spermatozoa

Autori
Gavella, Mirjana ; Lipovac, Vaskresenija ; Vučić, Marijana ; Šverko, Višnja

Izvornik
International Journal of Andrology (0105-6263) 22 (1999), 4; 266-274

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
human spermatozoa; NADPH; superoxide anion; superoxide dismutase; zinc

Sažetak
The in vitro effect of zinc on superoxide anion (O-2(-)) generation and on SOD-like activity in spermatozoa of infertile men was investigated. The formation of superoxide anion was stimulated by NADPH and the level of superoxide anion was measured by the reduction of ferricytochrome c. Both Percoll-isolated (n = 14) and washed spermatozoa (n = 14) exposed to 1 mmol/L zinc (60 min, 37 degrees C), released less (p < 0.002 and p < 0.04, respectively) superoxide anions than did zinc-untreated spermatozoa. These results implicate a possible role for zinc as a scavenger of excessive superoxide anions produced by defective spermatozoa in semen after ejaculation. Additionally, zinc was found to dose-dependently inhibit superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of spermatozoa in vitro. The inhibition of SOD-like activity by an equal concentration of zinc (1 mmol/L) was less pronounced in oligospermic (p < 0.002; n = 16) and asthenozoospermic (p < 0.0005; n = 20) than in normozoospermic samples (p < 0.0001; n = 20). This differential ability of zinc to inhibit SOD-like activity may be relevant to the physiological function of spermatozoa in fertilization. The evidence that zinc may elicit an inhibition of both superoxide anion production and SOD-like activity in human spermatozoa, indicate the existence of novel, zinc-related mechanism(s) involved in the oxidative events occurring after ejaculation, with a possible modulatory effect on germ cell function. [References: 55]

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti, Kliničke medicinske znanosti

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