Male infertility: Role of vitamin D and oxidative stress markers

Spermatozoa are vulnerable to oxidative stress because of their inherent reduced antioxidant defence and DNA repair mechanisms. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in sperm plasma membrane break down to cytotoxic lipid aldehyde, 4‐Hydroxynonenal, whereas 3‐Nitrotyrosine is generated by peroxynitrite induced tyrosine nitration. Both oxidative stress markers contribute to altered sperm function and infertility. Vitamin D, a membrane antioxidant, has a potential scavenger capacity. We compared oxidative stress markers and vitamin D in male subjects with normal and altered sperm parameters and explored association of these markers: 4‐Hydroxynonenal and 3‐Nitrotyrosine with Vitamin D. Higher 4‐Hydroxynonenal levels in altered sperm parameter group and a negative correlation with sperm count, motility and morphology (p