Effect of dietary DHA supplementation on sperm DNA integrity

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced and the ability of the antioxidants to scavenge these.High levels of ROS produce DNA damage which could cause infertility. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acid and is found in high concentrations in sperm membranes.Several studies suggest an antioxidant capacity for DHA.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Brudy Plus® an enzymatic nutraceutical triglyceride oil with a high concentration of DHA in damaged spermatozoa DNA.DESIGN: A randomised double-blind study with a control group.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 46 male patients were included in the present study.DHA group A(n=21) was given a supplement of 1050mg/day Brudy Plus® for 10 weeks.The placebo group B (n=15) was given a supplement of 1050mg/day of sunflower oil for 10 weeks.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL)staining was used to determine sperm DNA fragmentation.The total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma was measured using myoglobin, which interacts with 2,2-azinobis(3ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6sulphonate)(ABTS).The latency phase (Lag) in the accumulation of ABTS cation is proportional to antioxidant concentration.RESULTS: In group A,there was a statistically significant decrease in DNA fragmentation which is directly proportional to the number of weeks of treatment (0 weeks 25.98 ± 4.73, 5 weeks 15.60 ± 2.46, 10 weeks 8.79 ± 1.92)P< 0.01.In group B,DNA fragmentation was not affected by treatment (0 weeks 17.81 ± 2.56, 5 weeks 23.50 ± 4.55,10 weeks 29.01 ± 6.13)P=0.25.No significant variations in the level of DHA were observed in the spermatozoa membrane or in the seminal plasma.Lag showed significantly greater values in group A patients vs group B patients.CONCLUSION: The results show that dietary DHA supplementation decreases sperm DNA damage and improves the antioxidant system.Therefore Brudy plus® can be used as a therapy of choice for sperm with high DNA fragmentation. OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced and the ability of the antioxidants to scavenge these.High levels of ROS produce DNA damage which could cause infertility. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acid and is found in high concentrations in sperm membranes.Several studies suggest an antioxidant capacity for DHA.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Brudy Plus® an enzymatic nutraceutical triglyceride oil with a high concentration of DHA in damaged spermatozoa DNA. DESIGN: A randomised double-blind study with a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 46 male patients were included in the present study.DHA group A(n=21) was given a supplement of 1050mg/day Brudy Plus® for 10 weeks.The placebo group B (n=15) was given a supplement of 1050mg/day of sunflower oil for 10 weeks.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL)staining was used to determine sperm DNA fragmentation.The total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma was measured using myoglobin, which interacts with 2,2-azinobis(3ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6sulphonate)(ABTS).The latency phase (Lag) in the accumulation of ABTS cation is proportional to antioxidant concentration. RESULTS: In group A,there was a statistically significant decrease in DNA fragmentation which is directly proportional to the number of weeks of treatment (0 weeks 25.98 ± 4.73, 5 weeks 15.60 ± 2.46, 10 weeks 8.79 ± 1.92)P< 0.01. In group B,DNA fragmentation was not affected by treatment (0 weeks 17.81 ± 2.56, 5 weeks 23.50 ± 4.55,10 weeks 29.01 ± 6.13)P=0.25. No significant variations in the level of DHA were observed in the spermatozoa membrane or in the seminal plasma.Lag showed significantly greater values in group A patients vs group B patients. CONCLUSION: The results show that dietary DHA supplementation decreases sperm DNA damage and improves the antioxidant system.Therefore Brudy plus® can be used as a therapy of choice for sperm with high DNA fragmentation.