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Fertility and Sterility Sep 2018Male contribution to a couple's fecundity is important, and identifying the dietary factors that can influence male fertility potential is of high importance. Despite... (Review)
Review
Male contribution to a couple's fecundity is important, and identifying the dietary factors that can influence male fertility potential is of high importance. Despite this importance, there are currently no clear clinical guidelines for male patients seeking fertility treatment. In this review, we present the most up-to-date evidence about diet and male fertility in humans. We focus on the dietary factors necessary for production of healthy functioning sperm with high fertility potential. Based on this review, men may be encouraged to use antioxidant supplements and to follow dietary patterns favoring the consumption of seafood, poultry, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Evidence is strongest for recommending the use of antioxidant supplements to men in couples undergoing infertility treatment-although the specific antioxidants and doses remain unclear-and increasing consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and nuts.
Topics: Antioxidants; Diet; Diet, Healthy; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Pesticides; Semen Analysis; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 30196939
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.05.025 -
Human Fertility (Cambridge, England) Mar 2011This study was designed to establish whether motile spermatozoa are released with pre-ejaculatory fluid and whether this fluid therefore poses a risk for unintended...
This study was designed to establish whether motile spermatozoa are released with pre-ejaculatory fluid and whether this fluid therefore poses a risk for unintended pregnancy. Forty samples of pre-ejaculatory fluid were examined from 27 volunteer men. Samples were obtained by masturbation and by touching the end of the penis with a Petri dish prior to ejaculation. Eleven of the 27 subjects (41%) produced pre-ejaculatory samples that contained spermatozoa and in 10 of these cases (37%), a reasonable proportion of the sperm was motile. The volunteers produced on up to five separate occasions and sperms were found in either all or none of their pre-ejaculatory samples. Hence, condoms should continue to be used from the first moment of genital contact, although it may be that some men, less likely to leak spermatozoa in their pre-ejaculatory fluid, are able to practice coitus interruptus more successfully than others.
Topics: Condoms; Ejaculation; Humans; Male; Penis; Semen; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 21155689
DOI: 10.3109/14647273.2010.520798 -
Gut Jan 2021
Topics: Alginates; Animals; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Male; Mice; Oligosaccharides; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Spermatogenesis
PubMed: 32303608
DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-320992 -
Animal Reproduction Science Dec 2022In this review, we discuss the physiology of mitochondrial function in sperm using a comparative species approach. Mitochondria impart the ability for sperm from... (Review)
Review
In this review, we discuss the physiology of mitochondrial function in sperm using a comparative species approach. Mitochondria impart the ability for sperm from internal fertilizing species to attain individual motility and the ability to navigate the female reproductive tract to the site of fertilization. The presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a normal physiological event of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC); however, when excessive leakage of ROS occurs, sperm damage may follow. ROS production is associated with high levels of sperm motility but must be delicately balanced to prevent cellular damage during post-ejaculatory transport events. We discuss the differences in fundamental oxygen and ATP substrate balance in three mammalian species of veterinary importance, with an emphasis on ETC function, ROS production, and the balance of glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation production of ATP in sperm.
Topics: Male; Female; Animals; Sperm Motility; Reactive Oxygen Species; Semen; Spermatozoa; Mammals; Oxidative Stress; Adenosine Triphosphate
PubMed: 36272255
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107095 -
Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Jan 2022Spermatozoon is a motile cell with a special ability to travel through the woman's reproductive tract and fertilize an oocyte. To reach and penetrate the oocyte,... (Review)
Review
Spermatozoon is a motile cell with a special ability to travel through the woman's reproductive tract and fertilize an oocyte. To reach and penetrate the oocyte, spermatozoa should possess progressive motility. Therefore, motility is an important parameter during both natural and assisted conception. The global trend of progressive reduction in the number and motility of healthy spermatozoa in the ejaculate is associated with increased risk of infertility. Therefore, developing approaches for maintaining or enhancing human sperm motility has been an important area of investigation. In this review we discuss the physiology of sperm, molecular pathways regulating sperm motility, risk factors affecting sperm motility, and the role of sperm motility in fertility outcomes. In addition, we discuss various pharmacological agents and biomolecules that can enhance sperm motility in vitro and in vivo conditions to improve assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. This article opens dialogs to help toxicologists, clinicians, andrologists, and embryologists in understanding the mechanism of factors influencing sperm motility and various management strategies to improve treatment outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33289064
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00408-y -
Physiological Reviews Jan 1962
Topics: Humans; Male; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 13869493
DOI: 10.1152/physrev.1962.42.1.1 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Aug 2021What are the causative genetic variants in patients with male infertility due to severe sperm motility disorders?
STUDY QUESTION
What are the causative genetic variants in patients with male infertility due to severe sperm motility disorders?
SUMMARY ANSWER
We identified high confidence disease-causing variants in multiple genes previously associated with severe sperm motility disorders in 10 out of 21 patients (48%) and variants in novel candidate genes in seven additional patients (33%).
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Severe sperm motility disorders are a form of male infertility characterised by immotile sperm often in combination with a spectrum of structural abnormalities of the sperm flagellum that do not affect viability. Currently, depending on the clinical sub-categorisation, up to 50% of causality in patients with severe sperm motility disorders can be explained by pathogenic variants in at least 22 genes.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
We performed exome sequencing in 21 patients with severe sperm motility disorders from two different clinics.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHOD
Two groups of infertile men, one from Argentina (n = 9) and one from Australia (n = 12), with clinically defined severe sperm motility disorders (motility <5%) and normal morphology values of 0-4%, were included. All patients in the Argentine cohort were diagnosed with DFS-MMAF, based on light and transmission electron microscopy. Sperm ultrastructural information was not available for the Australian cohort. Exome sequencing was performed in all 21 patients and variants with an allele frequency of <1% in the gnomAD population were prioritised and interpreted.
MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE
In 10 of 21 patients (48%), we identified pathogenic variants in known sperm assembly genes: CFAP43 (3 patients); CFAP44 (2 patients), CFAP58 (1 patient), QRICH2 (2 patients), DNAH1 (1 patient) and DNAH6 (1 patient). The diagnostic rate did not differ markedly between the Argentinian and the Australian cohort (55% and 42%, respectively). Furthermore, we identified patients with variants in the novel human candidate sperm motility genes: DNAH12, DRC1, MDC1, PACRG, SSPL2C and TPTE2. One patient presented with variants in four candidate genes and it remains unclear which variants were responsible for the severe sperm motility defect in this patient.
LARGE SCALE DATA
N/A.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
In this study, we described patients with either a homozygous or two heterozygous candidate pathogenic variants in genes linked to sperm motility disorders. Due to unavailability of parental DNA, we have not assessed the frequency of de novo or maternally inherited dominant variants and could not determine the parental origin of the mutations to establish in all cases that the mutations are present on both alleles.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Our results confirm the likely causal role of variants in six known genes for sperm motility and we demonstrate that exome sequencing is an effective method to diagnose patients with severe sperm motility disorders (10/21 diagnosed; 48%). Furthermore, our analysis revealed six novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders. Genome-wide sequencing of additional patient cohorts and re-analysis of exome data of currently unsolved cases may reveal additional variants in these novel candidate genes.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This project was supported in part by funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1120356) to M.K.O.B., J.A.V. and R.I.M.L., The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (918-15-667) to J.A.V., the Royal Society and Wolfson Foundation (WM160091) to J.A.V., as well as an Investigator Award in Science from the Wellcome Trust (209451) to J.A.V. and Grants from the National Research Council of Argentina (PIP 0900 and 4584) and ANPCyT (PICT 9591) to H.E.C. and a UUKi Rutherford Fund Fellowship awarded to B.J.H.
Topics: Australia; Exome; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Sperm Motility; Sperm Tail; Spermatozoa; Exome Sequencing
PubMed: 34089056
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab099 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2018AMP-activated protein kinase AMPK regulates cellular energy by controlling metabolism through the inhibition of anabolic pathways and the simultaneous stimulation of... (Review)
Review
AMP-activated protein kinase AMPK regulates cellular energy by controlling metabolism through the inhibition of anabolic pathways and the simultaneous stimulation of catabolic pathways. Given its central regulator role in cell metabolism, AMPK activity and its regulation have been the focus of relevant investigations, although only a few studies have focused on the AMPK function in the control of spermatozoa's ability to fertilize. This review summarizes the known cellular roles of AMPK that have been identified in mammalian spermatozoa. The involvement of AMPK activity is described in terms of the main physiological functions of mature spermatozoa, particularly in the regulation of suitable sperm motility adapted to the fluctuating extracellular medium, maintenance of the integrity of sperm membranes, and the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, the intracellular signaling pathways leading to AMPK activation in mammalian spermatozoa are reviewed. We also discuss the role of AMPK in assisted reproduction techniques, particularly during semen cryopreservation and preservation (at 17 °C). Finally, we reinforce the idea of AMPK as a key signaling kinase in spermatozoa that acts as an essential linker/bridge between metabolism energy and sperm's ability to fertilize.
Topics: AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Animals; Humans; Male; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Semen; Signal Transduction; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 30360525
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113293 -
Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... May 2021In this study, we aimed to explore the beneficial properties of novel quinoline derivatives on human sperm motility and its functional competence. Nine novel quinoline...
In this study, we aimed to explore the beneficial properties of novel quinoline derivatives on human sperm motility and its functional competence. Nine novel quinoline derivatives were screened for their effect on motility in human spermatozoa from normozoospermic ejaculates. Compounds with impressive sperm motility enhancement properties were further assessed for their effect on functional competence of human spermatozoa. To determine the effect on the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa processed with quinoline derivatives and to assess developmental competence of embryos derived, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed using mouse model. Among the nine quinoline derivatives, 2 compounds (6MQT and 2,6DQT) exhibited significant enhancement in sperm progressive motility and survival at 24 h. Further, non-significant increase in curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) was observed. Capacitation, intracellular cAMP level and tyrosine phosphorylated sperm proteins were significantly higher in 6MQT (P < 0.05) and 2,6DQT (P < 0.001) compared to control. In vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments using Swiss albino mice revealed that spermatozoa processed with 6MQT had non-significantly higher blastocyst rate and a superior blastocyst quality, while, 2,6DQT resulted in significantly lower blastocyst rate (P < 0.05) compared to control. Quinoline derivative 6MQT has significant motility enhancement property under in vitro conditions. Graphical abstract.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Mice; Quinolines; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33237520
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00382-5 -
Theriogenology Mar 2020Sperm activation involves ion fluxes as well as a previous maturation in the seminal plasma, something which has not been studied in depth in marine fish species. pH and...
Sperm activation involves ion fluxes as well as a previous maturation in the seminal plasma, something which has not been studied in depth in marine fish species. pH and potassium are probably involved in sperm maturation and motility in the European eel, as indicated in previous studies. In this work, the absolute intracellular concentration of potassium in European eel sperm has been determined for the first time. In addition, the intracellular pH (pH) of quiescent eel spermatozoa was determined by two methods (nigericin and null point) that gave similar results, 7.4-7.6. The natural pH range of sperm samples in the quiescent stage was 7.4-8.0, with no evident relationship with sperm motility. However, a linear correlation was seen between sperm motility and the pH of the diluent or extracellular pH (pH), as well as between the pH and the pH of the diluent. The pH change post-activation in seawater (ASW) depended on the initial pH of the diluent medium. Activation with ASW induced an internal alkalinization of the cells when the sample had previously been diluted in a pH < 8.0; an acidification when pH > 8, and no pH variation when pH was 8.0. These experiments indicated that a careful selection of the diluents should be performed before measuring natural pH changes in sperm cells. Thus, studies on the specific seminal plasma composition of marine fish species are necessary before studying their physiology. Furthermore, our study indicates that intracellular alkalinization is not a universal fact during sperm activation.
Topics: Anguilla; Animals; Homeostasis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 31986301
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.026