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Updated: Sep 3, 2025
08:48
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
Published on: April 21, 2022
2.6K
Seminal-Plasma-Mediated Effects on Sperm Performance in Humans
Tanja Turunen1, Martina Magris1, Marjo Malinen1
1Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland.
Cells
|July 27, 2022
Summary
Seminal plasma (SP) identity impacts sperm function, but a male's own SP isn't always best. Specific SP proteins like DPP4 and NEP correlate with improved sperm motility and hyperactivation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Seminal plasma (SP) contains proteins that influence sperm function.
- Understanding SP's role is key for male infertility diagnostics and therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how seminal plasma (SP) donor identity and protein composition affect human sperm motility and viability.
- To determine if sperm performance depends on the interaction between sperm and SP.
Main Methods:
- Human sperm were incubated with autologous and allogeneic seminal plasmas in a full-factorial design.
- Sperm motility, viability, and hyperactivation were assessed.
- The association between sperm function and levels of DPP4, NEP, and APN proteins in SP was analyzed.
Main Results:
- SP donor identity significantly affected sperm swimming velocity, viability, and hyperactivation.
- Sperm performance was influenced by the interaction between sperm and SP donor.
- Higher levels of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) in SP correlated positively with sperm velocity and hyperactivation.
Conclusions:
- Seminal plasma composition significantly impacts human sperm function.
- The interaction between sperm and SP donor identity plays a role in reproductive outcomes.
- SP proteins DPP4 and NEP show potential as biomarkers for male infertility.
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