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Faculty of Medical Sciences

Oxidative stRess drIver Of male iNfertility: the ORION study

Bergsma, A. (Anke) (2021) Oxidative stRess drIver Of male iNfertility: the ORION study. thesis, Medicine.

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Abstract

Aim: To address the levels of free thiols in seminal plasma and blood serum and relate this to general health and lifestyle parameters and semen parameters. Methods: Males of couples visiting the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CRM) of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) were recruited in this study. Semen analysis (SA) was done according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Blood samples were centrifuged and subsequently stored at -80°C together with the seminal plasma samples. Thiol levels would have been determined with the modified Ellman technique. Information regarding general health and lifestyle parameters such as BMI, comorbidities and smoking was obtained via routinely conducted questionnaires. Information regarding diet and physical activity was gathered via two additional questionnaires, forwarded via email. Two groups were compared: males with a normal SA versus males with an abnormal SA. Results: A total of 14 males were included in this study. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, no thiol measurements results were acquired. The normal SA group was found to have a significantly higher intake of unsweetened dairy compared to the abnormal SA group. A significant positive correlation was observed between unsweetened dairy intake and sperm concentration. There were other factors with a positive or negative correlation with semen quality, however no statistical significance was obtained. Conclusion: Lifestyle factors such as certain diet groups appear to correlate with semen quality. This may be through oxidative stress, however insight regarding thiol levels in blood serum and seminal plasma is needed to prove this correlation. The follow-up report of this study containing the thiol level measurements will conclude on this aspect. Future research could focus on lifestyle intervention to possibly lower oxidative stress and improve semen quality.

Item Type: Thesis (UNSPECIFIED)
Supervisor name: Cantineau, dr. A. (Astrid)
Faculty: Medical Sciences
Date Deposited: 04 Jan 2022 10:33
Last Modified: 04 Jan 2022 10:33
URI: https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2933

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