The Role of free radicals in female unexplained subfertility

Abstract

Background: Unexplained sub-fertility is commonly identified if couples fail to conceive after 1 yr of everyday unprotected sexual intercourse even though investigations for ovulation, tubal patency and semen evaluation are ordinary. For as many as (30-40%) of couples experiencing sub-fertility, their subfertility stays unexplained. The objective of current study was to estimate and calculate the reactive oxygen species and to determine the relationship between free radicals, antioxidant enzyme activities and unexplained subfertility. Methods: The study was an observational prospective study involved two groups of women who attended Babylon maternity Hospital and private clinic. The study groups included 30 apparently healthy fertile women as a control group and 60 women with subfertility. Blood withdrawn from both groups for biochemical evaluation of MDA, GSH, vitamin E and vitamin C. Cervical secretions were also collected from both groups for same enzymatic and non-enzymatic free radicals evaluations. Results: The results showed that MAD levels were increased significantly (P<0.01) in serum and cervical mucus secretions in patient group compared with control group. In addition, GSH levels decreased significantly (P<0.05). Also, vitamin C levels decreased significantly (P>0.05) in serum and cervical mucus secretion in patient group comparing with control group. Finally, vitamin E levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) in serum and cervical mucus secretion in patient groups comparing with control groups. Conclusion: Oxidative stress plays an important role in human fertility.