Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Male Infertility Research by Unraveling Sperm Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function
08:32

Author Spotlight: Advancing Male Infertility Research by Unraveling Sperm Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function

Published on: June 23, 2023

3.0K

The role of mitochondrial aconitate (ACO2) in human sperm motility

Min Tang1, Bian-Jiang Liu, Shang-Qian Wang

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China and.

Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine
|May 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial aconitase (ACO2) levels are reduced in asthenozoospermia. Supplementing with isocitrate improved sperm motility, suggesting a potential treatment for male infertility.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Human Physiology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes are vital for ATP production in sperm mitochondria.
  • Mitochondrial aconitase (ACO2), a key TCA cycle enzyme, has an under-explored role in asthenozoospermia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and mechanism of ACO2 in human asthenozoospermia.
  • To explore the potential of isocitrate as a therapeutic agent for improving sperm motility.

Main Methods:

  • Immunofluorescence staining to localize ACO2 in human sperm.
  • Immunoblotting to quantify ACO2 protein levels in asthenozoospermic and fertile samples.
  • In vitro incubation of low-motile sperm with isocitrate to assess motility changes.

Main Results:

  • ACO2 was localized to the mid-piece of human sperm.
  • Asthenozoospermic samples showed significantly lower ACO2 protein levels compared to controls.
  • Isocitrate incubation enhanced sperm motility in low-motile sperm suspensions, likely via increased ATP.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced ACO2 protein levels are associated with asthenozoospermia.
  • Isocitrate shows promise for improving sperm motility and may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for asthenozoospermia.
Keywords:
Asthenozoospermiaisocitratemitochondrial aconitatesperm motilitytricarboxylic acid cycle

More Related Videos

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes08:58

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

Published on: November 28, 2018

13.6K
Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation08:22

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Published on: January 22, 2020

7.6K

Related Concept Videos

The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein01:42

The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein

ADP/ATP carrier or AAC protein is the most abundant carrier protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It transports large quantities of ADP and ATP, equivalent to the average human body weight, every day. Among other transporters, ACC protein is one of the best-studied members of the mitochondrial carrier protein family. The ADP/ATP carrier protein comprises two transmembrane helices connected to a loop and a single alpha-helix on the matrix side. It switches between two conformational...
3.6K
Sperm Transport01:15

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
5.5K
Animal Mitochondrial Genetics02:59

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics

Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
7.8K
Energy to Drive Translocation01:37

Energy to Drive Translocation

Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
2.0K
Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
91.0K
ATP Synthase: Mechanism01:48

ATP Synthase: Mechanism

In animals, the mitochondrial F1F0 ATP synthase is the key protein that synthesizes ATP molecules through a complex catalytic mechanism. While the nuclear genome encodes the majority of ATP synthase subunits, the mitochondrial genome encodes some of the enzyme's most critical components. The formation of this multi-subunit enzyme is a complex multi-step process regulated at the level of transcription, translation, and assembly. Defects in one or more of these steps can result in decreased...
16.0K