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Updated: Jun 20, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Male Infertility Research by Unraveling Sperm Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function
Published on: June 23, 2023
The impact of mitochondrial impairments on sperm function and male fertility: a systematic review
Minoo Vahedi Raad1, Amir Masoud Firouzabadi2,3, Maryam Tofighi Niaki4
1Department of Biology & Anatomical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Background:
Besides adenine triphosphate (ATP) production for sustaining motility, the mitochondria of sperm also host other critical cellular functions during germ cell development and fertilization including calcium homeostasis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and in some cases steroid hormone biosynthesis. Normal mitochondrial membrane potential with optimal mitochondrial performance is essential for sperm motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and DNA integrity.
Results:
Defects in the sperm mitochondrial function can severely harm the fertility potential of males. The role of sperm mitochondria in fertilization and its final fate after fertilization is still controversial. Here, we review the current knowledge on human sperm mitochondria characteristics and their physiological and pathological conditions, paying special attention to improvements in assistant reproductive technology and available treatments to ameliorate male infertility.
Conclusion:
Although mitochondrial variants associated with male infertility have potential clinical use, research is limited. Further understanding is needed to determine how these characteristics lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and affect male fertility potential.
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