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Role of Protamine Disulphide Cross-Linking in Counteracting Oxidative Damage to DNA

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Studies on Men's Health and Fertility

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Abstract

Free radical (oxygen and nitrogen-derived)-induced sperm DNA damage may take place during the process of spermatogenesis, during sperm transit through the epididymis, in the distal seminal ducts of the male genital tract and in vitro during sperm processing. Free radical-induced DNA damage during spermatogenesis may result in damage of the DNA strands and of highly sensitive telomeric DNA sequences. Post-testicular sperm DNA damage in the epididymis is considered one of the main causes of sperm DNA damage. Release of oxygen radical-producing immature spermatozoa into seminiferous tubules may result in damage of mature spermatozoa during co-migration spermatozoa through the epididymis. Post-testicular free radical-induced sperm DNA damage may also take place in the proximal portion of the epididymis through free radicals such as the superoxide anion that leak from redox recycling mechanisms involved in disulphide bond cross-­linking of protamines and flagellar proteins; in the cauda epididymis through free radicals produced by the epithelial cells; and during sperm processing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Male Infertility, Centro Androgen, La Coruña, 15004, La Coruña, Spain

    Juan G. Alvarez MD, PhD

  2. Department of Biology, University Autónoma Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain

    Jaime Gosalvez BSc, PhD

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  1. Juan G. Alvarez MD, PhD
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  2. Jaime Gosalvez BSc, PhD
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Correspondence to Juan G. Alvarez MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  2. Faculty of Science and IT, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive 1, Callaghan, 2308, New South Wales, Australia

    R. John Aitken

  3. , Department of Male Infertility, Centro Androgen, C/FERNANDO MACIAS 8, 1ºC, La Coruña, 15004, La Coruña, Spain

    Juan G. Alvarez

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Alvarez, J.G., Gosalvez, J. (2012). Role of Protamine Disulphide Cross-Linking in Counteracting Oxidative Damage to DNA. In: Agarwal, A., Aitken, R., Alvarez, J. (eds) Studies on Men's Health and Fertility. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-776-7_11

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