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Deoxycholic Acid Impairs Human Sperm Quality and Function Through Oxidative Stress-Driven Damage.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Male infertility affects nearly half of all infertility cases globally.
  • Obesity is linked to increased oxidative stress, a key factor in impaired sperm quality.
  • Elevated deoxycholic acid (DCA), a secondary bile acid, is associated with obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of deoxycholic acid (DCA) on sperm function.
  • To determine if DCA induces oxidative stress in spermatozoa.
  • To assess DCA's effects on sperm motility, viability, capacitation, and oxidative stress markers.

Main Methods:

  • Semen samples from healthy donors were incubated with DCA.
  • Sperm motility and viability assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) tests.
  • Sperm capacitation measured via tyrosine phosphorylation (P-Tyr) and acrosome reaction (AR); oxidative stress markers quantified via flow cytometry.

Main Results:

  • Deoxycholic acid (DCA) did not affect progressive sperm motility or viability.
  • DCA reduced hyperactive motility, tyrosine phosphorylation (P-Tyr), and acrosome reaction (AR).
  • DCA significantly increased oxidative stress markers in spermatozoa.

Conclusions:

  • Secondary bile acids like DCA can disrupt sperm function via oxidative stress mechanisms.
  • DCA affects non-conventional semen parameters potentially missed by standard analyses.
  • Findings emphasize the gut-testis axis' role in male infertility and the need for advanced diagnostics.