Mitochondrial membrane potential profile and its correlation with increasing sperm motility
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
High-Resolution Respirometry to Assess Mitochondrial Function in Human Spermatozoa
Published on: June 23, 2023
Donatella Paoli1, Mariagrazia Gallo, Flavio Rizzo
1Laboratory of Seminology-Semen Bank, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Objective:
To investigate sperm mitochondrial integrity through analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) and to correlate the energy status with variations in sperm motility.
Design:
Experimental study.
Setting:
Seminology Laboratory, University of Rome, Italy.
Patient(S):
Two hundred thirteen semen samples from the same number of patients, divided into two groups on the basis of their motility: group A, 185 samples with linear motility and group B, 28 samples with nonlinear motility.
Intervention(S):
Evaluation of sperm motility.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Sperm mitochondrial integrity evaluated with a fluorimetric method using the cationic lipophilic stain JC-1.
Result(S):
The mean FL2 (percentage of sperm with high and low ∆ψ) for group A was 46.19±23.25 and for group B, it was 48.32±24.43. There was no significant difference between the groups. There was a positive correlation between both FL2 and linear motility and FL2 and sperm vitality in group A; both correlations were statistically significant. In group B, there was a positive correlation between FL2 and nonlinear motility and FL2 and sperm vitality; again, both correlations were statistically significant.
Conclusion(S):
Our data reveal a positive correlation between total motility and Δψ, suggesting that sperm motility may be dependent on the functional integrity of the mitochondria.
Related Concept Videos
01:41Spermatogenesis
01:45Mitochondrial Membranes
01:45Mitochondrial Membranes