Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Male Infertility Research by Unraveling Sperm Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function
08:32

Author Spotlight: Advancing Male Infertility Research by Unraveling Sperm Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function

Published on: June 23, 2023

1.6K

The Probiotics Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum Enhance

Eun Hye Lee1, Yu Jin Kim2, Il Seon Jung3

  • 1Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Pocheon 11160, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 17, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics significantly improved sperm motility and vitality in mice. These beneficial bacteria enhanced mitochondrial function, offering a potential new approach for treating male infertility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Idiopathic male infertility is a significant concern, often linked to reduced sperm motility and vitality.
  • While probiotics are studied in the male reproductive tract, their specific impact on sperm function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of specific probiotics on mouse sperm vitality and motility.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, particularly the impact on mitochondrial function.

Main Methods:

  • Mature mouse sperm were treated with three probiotic strains: *Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus*, *Limosilactobacillus fermentum*, and *Lacticaseibacillus paracasei*.
  • Sperm vitality and motility were analyzed based on probiotic concentration and treatment duration.
  • Mitochondrial activity and related protein expressions (AMPK, SIRT1) were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Probiotic treatment led to a 30-40% increase in sperm motility and vitality compared to controls.
  • Enhanced mitochondrial activity was observed in probiotic-treated sperm.
  • The probiotics upregulated the activity of mitochondrial function-related proteins, including AMPK and SIRT1.

Conclusions:

  • The studied probiotics effectively improve mouse sperm vitality and motility.
  • Probiotics enhance sperm mitochondrial function, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue.
  • These findings support the potential use of probiotics for male infertility treatment.
Keywords:
mitochondrial activitymotilityprobioticsspermatozoaviability

More Related Videos

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes08:58

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

Published on: November 28, 2018

13.2K
Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation08:22

Using an Extracellular Flux Analyzer to Measure Changes in Glycolysis and Oxidative Phosphorylation during Mouse Sperm Capacitation

Published on: January 22, 2020

7.8K

Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
102.1K
Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
242
Sperm Transport01:15

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
638
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition01:22

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...
1.2K
Energy to Drive Translocation01:37

Energy to Drive Translocation

Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
2.0K
Animal Mitochondrial Genetics02:59

Animal Mitochondrial Genetics

Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
7.5K