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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, METHODS, METHODS, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Apoptosis, Caspase 3, Caspase 9, Caspases, Cytochrome c Group, DNA Damage, Humans, Infertility, Male, Male, Oxidative Stress, Prospective Studies, Reactive Oxygen Species, Sperm Count, Sperm Motility, Spermatozoa.
user
Is oxidative stress associated with increased apoptosis leading to spermatozoa DNA damage in patients with male factor infertility? Context: To evaluate ejaculated spermatozoa from patients with male factor infertility for the role of cytochrome c and caspases 9 and 3 (the proteins known to mediate apoptosis) and to examine association between semen quality and apoptosis in the presence of oxidative stress. Prospective study. Male infertility clinic at a tertiary health care center. Semen specimens from 35 patients with idiopathic infertility and 8 normal healthy donors. Levels of ROS, cytochrome c, and caspases 9 and 3 and semen variables. Compared with normal donors, infertile patients had significantly higher levels (expressed as median [25th and 75th percentiles]) of ROS (4.15 x 10(6) counted photons per minute [cpm] [0.26, 40.16 x 10(6) cpm] vs. 0.06 x 10(6) cpm [0.02, 0.29 x 10(6) cpm]; P<.01), cytochrome c (2.78 [2.21, 43.65 vs. 1.5 [1.25, 2.2]; P<.01)], caspase 9 (2.52 [0.9, 4.28] vs. 6 [4.85, 7.63]; P<.006), and caspase 3 (0.56 [0.32, 1.02] vs. 1.69 [1.66, 2.67]; P<.01). Semen variables (motility, concentration, and morphology) were negatively correlated with caspase 9 and 3 (P<.05). Reactive oxygen species was positively correlated with cytochrome c (r=.43; P<.03), caspase 9 (r=.56; P<.001), and caspase 3 (r=.65;P<.01).
assistant
Infertile men have decreased sperm variables induced by higher ROS levels in semen. A positive relationship exists between increased sperm damage by ROS and higher levels of cytochrome c and caspases 9 and 3, which indicate positive apoptosis in patients with male factor infertility. Final Decision: yes