Viewing Study NCT06210568


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Study NCT ID: NCT06210568
Status: RECRUITING
Last Update Posted: 2024-01-18
First Post: 2024-01-08
Is NOT Gene Therapy: True
Has Adverse Events: False

Brief Title: Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility.
Sponsor: IRCCS San Raffaele
Organization:

Study Overview

Official Title: Role of Oxidative Stress in Male Infertility: an Observational Case-control Study
Status: RECRUITING
Status Verified Date: 2024-01
Last Known Status: None
Delayed Posting: No
If Stopped, Why?: Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access: False
If Expanded Access, NCT#: N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status: N/A
Acronym: None
Brief Summary: Study Aims:

To evaluate the impact of oxidative and nitrosative stress, as well as DNA methylation, on male reproductive health. This is achieved by analyzing urinary biomarkers: 8-oxoGua, 8-oxoGuo, 8-oxodGuo, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NO2Tyr), 5-methylcytidine (5-MeCyt), and cotinine in infertile and fertile males.

Study Design:

A prospective observational case-control study comparing infertile male patients (cases) from a reproductive sciences center with fertile male volunteers (controls) from a gynecology and obstetrics department. The study focuses on understanding the role of oxidative stress in male infertility and its implications for assisted reproductive techniques.
Detailed Description: Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples in their reproductive age. Male factors contribute to 45-50% of infertility cases, with 7% of the global male population diagnosed as infertile. Oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, plays a significant role in semen quality degradation. High levels of ROS, unbalanced by antioxidant mechanisms, damage spermatozoa, affecting motility and morphology, and compromising their fertilizing ability. Excessive ROS production, antioxidant depletion, and inactivation or reduced production of antioxidant enzymes contribute to this imbalance. Oxidative stress not only induces lipid peroxidation in sperm membranes but also impacts DNA integrity and increases apoptosis rates. It is estimated to be a significant factor in 30-80% of male infertility cases. Oxidative and nitrosative stress are interrelated; increased ROS levels can interact with nitrogen species, causing further reproductive function damage. Urinary oxidized nucleic acid bases, particularly 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo), serve as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Additionally, DNA methylation plays a crucial role in biological processes, with 5-methylcytidine (5-MeCyt) acting as an epigenetic biomarker.

Objectives:

The primary objective is to assess the role of oxidative, nitrosative stress, and DNA methylation on male reproductive health by evaluating urinary biomarkers: 8-oxoGua, 8-oxoGuo, 8-oxodGuo, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NO2Tyr), 5-MeCyt, and cotinine. The secondary objectives include evaluating semen quality parameters impacted by oxidative stress and identifying potential environmental and lifestyle exposure sources contributing to oxidative stress.

Study Design:

This monocentric, prospective observational study will involve two patient groups: infertile male patients ("cases") attending the Center for Reproductive Sciences and fertile male volunteers ("controls") from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Procedures for patients and volunteers are additional to the study protocol and not experimental in nature. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of oxidative stress in male infertility and its potential impact on assisted reproductive techniques.

Study Oversight

Has Oversight DMC: True
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?: False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?: False
Is an Unapproved Device?: None
Is a PPSD?: None
Is a US Export?: None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: