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Therapeutic potential of testosterone on sperm parameters and chromatin status in fresh and thawed normo and
Masoomeh Mohammadzadeh1, Fateme Montazeri2, Jafar Poodineh3
1Department of Reproductive Biology, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, and Research Committee, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Background:
Hormonal changes alter the physiological level of ROS and cause oxidative stress in the cell. As estimated, hormonal deficiencies, environmental and ideological factors make up about 25% of male infertility. Pathogenic reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a chief cause of unexplained infertility. Limited studies exist on the effects of testosterone on human sperm culture. Therefore, in the current study, the effect of different doses of testosterone on sperm parameters and chromatin quality was investigated.
Materials And Methods:
Semen samples from 15 normospermic and 15 asthenospermic patients were prepared by swim up method, and then were divided into four groups by exposing to different concentrations of testosterone (1, 10, and 100nM) for 45min. Samples without any intervention were considered as control group. All samples were washed twice. Sperm parameters and chromatin protamination were assessed in each group and the remains were frozen. After two weeks, all tests were repeated for sperm thawed. Also, the MSOM technique was used to determine the sperm morphology of class 1.
Results:
Although sperm parameters were not show any significant differences in normospermic and asthenospermic samples exposed to different concentrations of testosterone before and after freezing, chromatin protamination was significantly decreased in the normospermic samples exposed to 10nM of testosterone before freezing (p<0.006), as well as 1 and 10nM of testosterone after freezing compared to control samples (p=0.001 and p=0.0009, respectively). Similarly, chromatin protamination in the asthenospermic samples was significantly decreased at concentration of 1nM of testosterone before and after freezing (p=0.0014 and p=0.0004, respectively), and at concentration of 10nM of testosterone before and after freezing (p=0.0009, p=0.0007) compared to control samples.
Conclusion:
Using a low dose of testosterone in the sperm culture medium, has positive effects on chromatin quality.
Insights
Low doses of testosterone positively impact sperm chromatin quality in both normal and infertile men. This finding offers potential therapeutic strategies for male infertility linked to oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Andrology
- Oxidative stress research
Background:
- Hormonal fluctuations can elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and contributing to male infertility.
- Approximately 25% of male infertility cases are attributed to hormonal deficiencies, environmental, and other factors, with ROS being a primary cause of unexplained infertility.
- Limited research exists on testosterone's specific effects on human sperm cultures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of varying testosterone concentrations on human sperm parameters.
- To assess the effect of testosterone on sperm chromatin quality and protamination.
Main Methods:
- Semen samples from normospermic and asthenospermic patients were divided into groups and exposed to 1, 10, or 100nM testosterone for 45 minutes.
- Sperm parameters and chromatin protamination were evaluated before freezing and after thawing (following two weeks of storage).
- The Micro-Sperm Morphology (MSOM) technique was employed to assess sperm morphology.
Main Results:
- Testosterone exposure did not significantly alter sperm parameters in either group before or after freezing.
- Chromatin protamination significantly decreased in normospermic samples treated with 10nM testosterone (pre-freeze) and 1nM or 10nM testosterone (post-thaw).
- Asthenospermic samples showed significantly reduced chromatin protamination with 1nM or 10nM testosterone exposure, both pre-freeze and post-thaw.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose testosterone (1nM and 10nM) demonstrates a positive effect on sperm chromatin quality.
- Testosterone may play a role in improving chromatin integrity, potentially mitigating infertility associated with oxidative stress.
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