Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2009) 20 P630

ECE2009 Poster Presentations Reproduction (50 abstracts)

Free thiols in human spermatozoa: correlation with Na+/K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase activities and sperm motility

Arianna Vignini 1 , Eddi Buldreghini 2 , Laura Nanetti 1 , Francesca Raffaelli 1 , Francesca Paggi 2 , Marco Boscaro 2 , Laura Mazzanti 1 & Giancarlo Balercia 2


1School of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; 2Andrology Unit, Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine and Applied Technologies, Umberto I Hospital, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.


The aim of the present study was to measure free thiols content, Na+/K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase activities in human spermatozoa of asthenozoospermic patients and normospermic donors, and evaluate any influence on kinetic sperm features, as well as correlation with peroxynitrite. In fact, membrane integrity and its composition are the basic characteristics of the sperm membrane, thus, it is evident that its composition is an important factor for membrane functions that can be modified upon oxidation. To reach our purposes, 70 infertile patients affected by idiopathic asthenozoospermia and 25 normal fertile donors were enrolled, according to WHO 1999 criteria.

Control spermatozoa exhibited Na,K-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase activities, cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and free –SH content significantly higher than those of asthenozoospermic patients. Moreover, significant positive correlations were found between Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activities and total sperm motility and sperm kinetic features, whereas significant negative correlations were found between ONOO- and Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activities, and total SH content.

Peroxynitrite is able to reduce Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activities, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, through possible depletion of free thiol content. Decrease in motility and loss of sperm function in idiopathic asthenozoospermia can be attributed to these sulfhydryl groups, important entities of the sperm membrane.

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