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Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
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Relationship between ouabain and asthenozoospermia.

Yi-Hong Yang1, Yan Wan1, Huan Lou1

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Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical Sciences = Hua Zhong Ke Ji Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ying De Wen Ban = Huazhong Keji Daxue Xuebao. Yixue Yingdewen Ban
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This study demonstrates that ouabain inhibits rat sperm motility and increases endogenous ouabain (EO) levels in asthenozoospermia patients. Ouabain effectively models asthenozoospermia, highlighting EO

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Ouabain is known to regulate mammalian sperm function, including motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction.
  • Asthenozoospermia, characterized by reduced sperm motility, is a significant factor in male infertility.
  • The role of endogenous ouabain (EO) in asthenozoospermia requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between ouabain exposure and the development of asthenozoospermia in a rat model.
  • To determine the effect of varying concentrations of ouabain on sperm motility in vitro.
  • To measure and compare endogenous ouabain (EO) levels in seminal plasma of men with and without asthenozoospermia.

Main Methods:

  • Established a rat model of asthenozoospermia through daily intraperitoneal injections of ouabain (12.5 or 25 μg/kg) for 30 days.
  • Incubated human sperm with a range of ouabain concentrations (10⁻⁷–10⁻² mol/L) for 4 hours and evaluated motility.
  • Quantified endogenous ouabain (EO) levels in seminal plasma from asthenozoospermia patients and fertile men using competitive inhibition ELISA.

Main Results:

  • Ouabain administration significantly reduced sperm motility in rats in a time- and dose-dependent manner, particularly at concentrations of 10⁻⁵–10⁻² mol/L.
  • In vitro incubation with 10⁻⁵ mol/L ouabain was sufficient to inhibit human sperm motility.
  • Endogenous ouabain (EO) levels were significantly elevated in seminal plasma of men with mild (25.27±1.71 μg/L) and severe (26.52±1.82 μg/L) asthenozoospermia compared to fertile men (19.31±1.45 μg/L).

Conclusions:

  • Intraperitoneal ouabain injection successfully induced asthenozoospermia in rats.
  • Ouabain at 10⁻⁵ mol/L effectively inhibits sperm motility in vitro.
  • Elevated endogenous ouabain levels in seminal plasma are associated with asthenozoospermia in men.