ANTIOXIDANT QUERCETIN LEVELS IN SUB-FERTILE MEN AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH OXIDATIVE STRESS

Authors

  • Qurat-ul-Ain Fatima Department of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Sadia Rehman Department of Biochemistry, Bahria University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Faizania Shabbir Department of Physiology, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Tallat Naureen Department of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
  • Samreen Iqbal Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahria University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Raheela Rafique Department of Biochemistry, Bahria University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v25i1.1753

Keywords:

Antioxidant, Oxidative Stress, Quercetin, Subfertility, Infertility

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress contributes significantly to male sub-fertility, underscoring the importance of antioxidants in improving semen quality. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate in vivo levels of antioxidant quercetin in sub-fertile men. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 6 months at Imran Idrees Teaching Hospital Sialkot, Pakistan. The study population consisted of 44 males, divided into two groups: 11 healthy fertile controls and 33 sub-fertile men. The study group was further subdivided into those diagnosed with varicocele (n=11) and those without varicocele (n=22). Semen samples were collected following 3–4 days of abstinence in a sterile environment through masturbation. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO criteria, and sperm morphology was assessed using Kruger’s strict criteria. Quercetin levels in semen were measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, with One-way ANOVA employed for variable comparisons and Scheffe’s test for correlation studies. Results: Healthy controls had higher sperm counts (80.09±5.40 million/mL) and motility (77.73±3.72%) than sub-fertile men with varicocele (14.00±4.02 million/mL, 30.18±7.13%) or without varicocele (23.55±3.17 million/mL, 34.77±6.51%) (p<0.001). Quercetin levels were significantly higher in controls (865.84±227 ?g/mL) compared to study group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of quercetin in semen and demonstrates its positive correlation with sperm parameters related to fertility. Diet rich in the antioxidant quercetin may enhance male fertility, particularly in men seeking treatment for sub-fertility.

Pak J Physiol 2025;21(1):3–6, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v21i1.1753

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Published

31-03-2025

How to Cite

1.
Fatima Q- ul-A, Rehman S, Shabbir F, Naureen T, Iqbal S, Rafique R. ANTIOXIDANT QUERCETIN LEVELS IN SUB-FERTILE MEN AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH OXIDATIVE STRESS. Pak J Phsyiol [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 31 [cited 2025 Apr. 24];21(1):3-6. Available from: https://pjp.pps.org.pk/index.php/PJP/article/view/1753

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2025): Pakistan Journal of Physiology

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Qurat-ul-Ain Fatima, Sadia Rehman, Faizania Shabbir, Tallat Naureen, Samreen Iqbal, Raheela Rafique

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