Vitamin C Supplementation Increases zinc binding protein levels in seminal plasma of iraqi infertile men via enhancement total antioxidant/ total reactive oxygen species ratio

IntroductionZinc binding proteins in human seminal plasma consists of low (LMW), intermediate (IMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) types of ligands. Oxidative stress has been illustrated in asthenospermia and has been shown to elevate protein oxidation. Antioxidants act to reduce the amount of reactive oxygen species, including hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, and hydrogen peroxide. Recent studies showed that vitamin C has controversial effects on sperm parameters and pregnancy rate in subfertile males with idiopathic asthenospermia. ObjectivesThe present study was conducted to study the effect of Vitamin C supplementation on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of semen along with zinc binding protein levels in the seminal plasma of Iraqi infertile men. MethodsA40 fertile (age 30.5±6.5 year) and 60 subfertile (age 33.5±6.2 year) men with asthenospermia were included in the current study, between July 2016 to July 2017, from couples who had consulted the infertility clinic of babil hospital of maternity (Hilla city/ IRAQ). The subfertile group treated with vitamin C (500 mg of vitamin C daily). Semen samples were obtained (before and after vitamin C supplementation). After liquefaction seminal fluid at room temperature, routine semen analyses, total antioxidant levels and total reactive oxygen species levels were performed. For determination of the amount of zinc binding proteins, the gel filtration of seminal plasma on Sephadex G-75 and Sephadex G-25 was performed. ResultsIn this study we documented a significantly decreased semen HMW and IMW zinc binding ligands levels (p<0.001) in infertile males compared with control subjects. On the other hand, seminal low molecular weight ligands (major & minor LMW-Zn) have opposite behavior, However, vitamin C supplementation enhances high and intermediate molecular weight zinc binding ligands levels in the subfertile men (p<0.005), Progressive sperm motility percentage, volume of semen and total normal sperm count increases after vitamin C treatment. High molecular weight zinc binding protein linked directly with total antioxidant levels and linked indirectly with reactive oxygen species levels. ConclusionElevation the levels of ROS directed to an oxidation of HMW-Zn binding proteins in seminal plasma of patients with asthenospermia. Vitamin C supplementation enhances HMW-Zn% in seminal plasma of asthenozoospermic subjects

Keywords:

Zinc binding proteins , Vitamin C , Seminal plasma , Infertile men