[Mitochondrial damage and male reproductive dysfunction: Progress in research]

Mitochondria are the center of sperm metabolism and essential for all aspects of flagellar motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction and gametic fusion of sperm. Abnormalities in the mitochondrial ultrastructure, membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, Ca2+ homoeostasis, sperm apoptosis, mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial enzymes and proteomic activity can decrease sperm quality and even cause male infertility. This paper elucidates the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on sperm by reviewing and analyzing relevant literature on mitochondria and male reproductive function, aiming to provide some theoretical evidence for exploring effective interventions for male reproductive dysfunction.