Oxidative stress is implicated in nearly 80% of male infertility cases. Excessive Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) lead to lipid peroxidation of the sperm membrane and downstream DNA fragmentation. The NBT Assay provides a direct biochemical window into the pro-oxidant status of the ejaculate.
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Assess Pro-oxidant Activity in Semen (NBT Assay)
Quantifying Oxidative Stress: The NBT Assay for Seminal Pro-oxidant Activity
The Science of ROS:
Clinical Application:
Formazan Reaction: Superoxide anions within the semen reduce yellow Nitro-blue Tetrazolium into insoluble blue formazan crystals.
Diagnostic Mapping: Identifies whether oxidative stress is derived from leukocyte infiltration or intrinsic sperm mitochondrial dysfunction.
Therapeutic Monitoring: An essential tool for clinicians to monitor the efficacy of antioxidant therapy in subfertile men.
References
- WHO (2021). WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, 6th Edition.
- Esfandiari N, et al. (2003). Utility of the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test for assessment of reactive oxygen species production by seminal leukocytes and spermatozoa. Journal of Andrology.
- Agarwal A, et al. (2014). Cost-effective diagnosis of male oxidative stress using the nitroblue tetrazolium test. Andrologia.