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Oxidative DNA damage impairs global sperm DNA methylation in infertile men

  • Andrology
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Methylation of sperm DNA is impaired in many infertile men potentially adversely effecting reproductive outcomes. In somatic cells oxidative damage to DNA and hyperhomocysteinaemia are linked with DNA hypomethylation. The objective of this study was to investigate if these pathologies also impair sperm DNA methylation.

Methods

The relationship between sperm DNA quality, oxidative stress and serum homocysteine was analysed at study entry and after 3 months of antioxidant treatment.

Results

Overall a significant negative correlation was observed between sperm DNA methylation and sperm DNA fragmentation, as well as seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Sperm DNA methylation was not significantly related to serum homocysteine concentrations. Administration of an antioxidant supplement produced a significant fall in seminal ROS levels and sperm DNA fragmentation, while increasing sperm DNA methylation.

Conclusions

These results suggest that oxidative stress related damage to sperm DNA impedes the process of methylation, while antioxidant supplementation appears to have the potential to reduce DNA damage and normalize sperm DNA methylation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank all the participants and the staff of Repromed, especially Margaret Szemis for contribution to data collection and Dr. Megan Mitchell for her support in the conduct of the methylation assays. The authors acknowledge financial support from The Colin Matthews Research Fund (University of Adelaide) and Bayer Consumer Care, Australia. Ms Tunc is a recipient of a Faculty of Health Sciences Postgraduate Scholarship from The University of Adelaide.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia

    Ozlem Tunc & Kelton Tremellen

  2. Repromed, Dulwich, South Australia

    Ozlem Tunc & Kelton Tremellen

  3. 180 Fullarton Road, Dulwich, South Australia, 5065

    Kelton Tremellen

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  1. Ozlem Tunc
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  2. Kelton Tremellen
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Correspondence to Kelton Tremellen.

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Capsule

Oxidative stress impedes sperm DNA methylation, while antioxidant supplementation can reduce DNA damage and normalize sperm DNA methylation.

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Tunc, O., Tremellen, K. Oxidative DNA damage impairs global sperm DNA methylation in infertile men. J Assist Reprod Genet 26, 537–544 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-009-9346-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-009-9346-2

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