Thiol–disulphide homoeostasis as an oxidative stress marker in men with varicocele

Summary Oxidative stress is the most common factor leading to infertility in men with varicocele. Reactive oxygen species and other markers of oxidative stress are measured to predict the extent of oxidative stress. Thiol groups are important antioxidants and essential molecules protecting organism against the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species. Thiol–disulphide homoeostasis is a unique, easy and new method to demonstrate oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine thiol–disulphide homoeostasis as an oxidative stress marker in infertile men with varicocele. The hormonal profile and parameters of thiol–disulphide homoeostasis were studied in 46 infertile men with varicocele, 70 fertile men with varicocele and 37 fertile controls. Infertile men with varicocele had significantly higher disulphide concentrations and disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native/total thiol ratios than those of fertile men with varicocele and fertile controls. According to these results, the blood plasma of patients with varicocele contains excessive oxidative stress, even in men with normospermia, and therefore, thiol–disulphide homoeostasis may be useful as an oxidative stress marker in men with varicocele.