Level of dioxins and glutathione system status in semen of male patients with infertility

Aim. To evaluate of contamination of ejaculate by polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans and to analyze the glutathione system status in males with infertility. Methods. 168 infertile and 49 fertile men were examined. Semen analysis was made in accordance with the World Health Organization protocol. The semen levels of persistent organic pollutants (dioxins and furans) was determined by a combination of high-performance capillary gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry, glutathione-depended enzymes activity - by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. It is found that the levels of priority environmental pollutants of dioxins and furans classes was 2,2-2,3 times higher in the semen of infertile men compared to fertile donors. The maximum level of the most toxic congener - 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin - was detected in patients pathospermia, which was found in most infertile patients. The glutathione redox system status in males with infertility was characterized by the decrease in the reduced tripeptide concentration, decreased activity of glutathione-depended xenobiotic detoxification enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase), multidirectional shifts of metabolism-mediating enzymes (inhibition of glutathione reductase associated with stimulation of g-glutamyltransferase). The molecular mechanisms of polychlorinated dioxins/furans toxicity for the male reproductive system are discussed, which may be mediated by redox state-sensitive signaling systems modulation. Conclusion. Contamination of semen in infertile men by environmental pollutants of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans classes supports the hypothesis of the relationship of the reproductive pathology with environmental factors. The most important link in the pathogenesis of decreased fertility in men associated with anthropogenic pollution is the change of glutathione antioxidant/antitoxic system activity.

environment, male infertility, ejaculate, dioxins, glutathione