Photobiomodulation therapy for male infertility

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Male infertility affects 7.5% of European males, increasing demand for fertility treatments.
• Fertility preservation through gamete freezing is becoming more common.
• Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a biostimulatory treatment with diverse clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of PBM therapy in reproductive science.
• To elucidate the mechanism of action of PBM on spermatozoa.
• To guide the rational clinical application of laser irradiation for male fertility.

Main Methods:

• Review of published studies on Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy.
• Focus on PBM's mechanism of action, particularly its effects on cellular mitochondria.
• Analysis of PBM's impact on sperm metabolism, motility, and viability.

Main Results:

• PBM therapy beneficially affects sperm mitochondria, activating the respiratory chain and boosting ATP production.
• PBM increases sperm metabolism, motility, and viability.
• The therapy shows promise in improving sperm survival post-thawing and in cases of low motility.

Conclusions:

• PBM therapy presents a promising, chemical-free approach to enhance sperm quality and function.
• Its mechanism involves direct stimulation of mitochondrial activity in spermatozoa.
• PBM offers a valuable tool for improving outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies and fertility preservation.