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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in human spermatozoa.
C Gottlieb1, K Svanborg, M Bygdeman
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Andrologia
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Semen samples with highly motile sperm consume more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) than those with poor motility. Faster ATP measurement after ejaculation is crucial for accurate fertility assessments.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Spermatozoa physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is vital for sperm motility and function.
- Sperm ATP levels can be influenced by motility and time post-ejaculation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sperm motility and seminal ATP content.
- To determine the impact of time post-ejaculation on sperm ATP levels.
- To assess the utility of ATP measurements for evaluating sperm fertilizing capacity.
Main Methods:
- Seminal ATP content measured by bioluminescence after trichloroacetic acid (TCA) treatment.
- Analysis of semen samples from men attending a fertility clinic (Study I) and fertile men (Study II).
- Samples categorized by sperm progressive motility and time elapsed since ejaculation.
Main Results:
- Semen with poor motility had significantly higher mean sperm ATP concentration than samples with good motility.
- Sperm ATP concentration per living spermatozoon was lower in the best motility group compared to lower motility groups.
- Sperm ATP concentration decreased significantly over 3-5 hours in samples with initially high motility, but remained unchanged in samples with lower motility.
Conclusions:
- Highly motile spermatozoa exhibit higher ATP consumption compared to less motile spermatozoa.
- Minimizing the time between ejaculation and ATP measurement is essential for reliable and comparable results.
- Combined ATP measurements and live sperm counts may offer insights into sperm fertilizing potential.