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Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes
Published on: November 28, 2018
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Impaired sperm function in infertile men relies on the membrane sterol pattern.
A Garolla1, I Šabović1,2, S Tescari3
1Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Andrology
|January 30, 2018
Summary
Infertile men have significantly higher sperm membrane cholesterol and its oxidized forms compared to fertile men. Sauna exposure temporarily increases sperm cholesterol, impacting male fertility potential.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Biochemistry
- Andrology
Background:
- Sperm maturation and fertility potential are linked to membrane cholesterol removal.
- Sperm membrane sterol patterns in infertile men are poorly understood.
- Investigating cholesterol and its oxidized derivatives in sperm is crucial for understanding male infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cholesterol and oxidized sterol levels in sperm of infertile men with oligo-asthenozoospermia compared to fertile men.
- To examine the effects of testicular thermal challenge (sauna sessions) on sperm sterol composition and sperm parameters.
- To establish a link between sperm membrane composition and male fertility potential.
Main Methods:
- Semen samples were collected from 16 infertile patients and 16 normozoospermic fertile subjects.
- Sperm parameters were assessed using World Health Organization criteria.
- Sperm cholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-keto-cholesterol levels were quantified using ultra-pressure liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
- A subset of fertile subjects underwent a 1-month sauna program.
Main Results:
- Oligo-asthenozoospermia patients exhibited significantly higher cholesterol content (12.40 ± 6.05 μg/10^6 cells) compared to fertile subjects (0.45 ± 0.28 μg/10^6 cells).
- Oxidized derivatives, 7β-hydroxycholesterol and 7-keto-cholesterol, were also significantly elevated in infertile patients.
- Sauna exposure led to a reversible increase in sperm cholesterol and an earlier enhancement of oxidized sterols, correlating with decreased sperm motility.
Conclusions:
- This study reveals significant differences in sperm membrane cholesterol and its oxidized derivatives between infertile and fertile men.
- Findings suggest a strong biochemical link between testicular function, sperm membrane status, and male fertility.
- Altered sterol composition may contribute to impaired sperm parameters and reduced male fertility potential.
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