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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

Published on: November 28, 2018

Mitochondrial membrane potential disruption pattern in human sperm.

Jaime A Espinoza¹, Uwe Paasch, Juana V Villegas

¹Centro de Biotecnología en Reproducción, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.

Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)

|May 26, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Betulinic acid disrupts sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) by activating caspases. While caspase inhibitors partially block this effect, suggesting other pathways are involved, caspases play a direct role in sperm dysfunction.

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Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Mitochondrial Biology
Sperm Physiology

Background:

Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) in sperm correlates with poor semen quality and reduced IVF success.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in sperm is linked to reactive oxygen species and abnormal parameters.
Caspase activation, a known cell death mechanism in somatic cells, is implicated in human ejaculates.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if caspase activation is essential for betulinic acid (BA)-induced disruption of DeltaPsi(m) in human sperm.
To determine the role of caspases in BA-induced sperm mitochondrial dysfunction.

Main Methods:

Human sperm were selected for high motility using a swim-up technique.
Sperm were incubated with betulinic acid (BA) and specific caspase inhibitors (zVAD-fmk, DEVD-cho).
Mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) and caspase-3/7 activity were measured.

Main Results:

Betulinic acid significantly disrupted DeltaPsi(m) and increased caspase-3/7 activity in human sperm.
Pre-treatment with pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk or caspase-3/7 inhibitor DEVD-cho only partially prevented the BA-induced loss of DeltaPsi(m).

Conclusions:

Caspases are directly involved in the betulinic acid-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in human sperm.
Caspase-independent mechanisms likely contribute to BA-induced sperm mitochondrial dysfunction.