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Pathophysiology of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Spermatozoa: Focus on Energetic Metabolism, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10050695. [PMID: 33924936 PMCID: PMC8145012 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10050695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dogma of mitochondria as the major source of energy in supporting sperm motility should be critically reconsidered in the light of several experimental data pointing to a major role of glycolysis in mammalian spermatozoa. In this light, the reported positive correlation between the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and motility of ejaculated spermatozoa cannot be explained convincingly by an impaired mitochondrial ATP generation only. Evidence has been produced suggesting that, in human sperm, dysfunctional mitochondria represent the main site of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, in these organelles, a complex bidirectional relationship could exist between ROS generation and apoptosis-like events that synergize with oxidative stress in impairing sperm biological integrity and functions. Despite the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant factors, human spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress, which plays a major role in male factor infertility. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of metabolic, oxidative and apoptosis-like inter-linkages of mitochondrial dysfunction and their reflections on human sperm biology.
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Durutovic O, Lalic N, Milenkovic-Petronic D, Bojanic N, Djordjevic D, Milojevic B, Ladjevic N, Mimic A, Tulic L, Dzamic Z, Micic S. The Correlation of Biochemical and Morphologic Parameters in the Assessment of Sperm Maturity. Urology 2013; 82:1296-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2013.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Revised: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Fariello RM, Pariz JR, Spaine DM, Cedenho AP, Bertolla RP, Fraietta R. Association between obesity and alteration of sperm DNA integrity and mitochondrial activity. BJU Int 2012; 110:863-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2011.10813.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Asmarinah, Nuraini T, Sumarsih T, Paramita R, Saleh MI, Narita V, Moeloek N, Steger K, Hinsch KD, Hinsch E. Mutations in exons 5, 7 and 8 of the human voltage-dependent anion channel type 3 (VDAC3) gene in sperm with low motility. Andrologia 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2010.01101.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Restelli AE, Bertolla RP, Spaine DM, Miotto A, Borrelli M, Cedenho AP. Quality and functional aspects of sperm retrieved through assisted ejaculation in men with spinal cord injury. Fertil Steril 2009; 91:819-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.12.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2007] [Revised: 12/17/2007] [Accepted: 12/17/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Fariello RM, Del Giudice PT, Spaine DM, Fraietta R, Bertolla RP, Cedenho AP. Effect of leukocytospermia and processing by discontinuous density gradient on sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial activity. J Assist Reprod Genet 2009; 26:151-7. [PMID: 19184399 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-008-9288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2008] [Accepted: 12/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the effect of leukocytospermia and semen processing on sperm DNA and mitochondria. METHODS Twenty-two patients with and 41 without leukocytospermia were included. Sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed by the Comet assay, and mitochondrial activity by a colorimetric method for active mitochondria. Semen was processed using Percoll, and motility, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial activity were analyzed pre- and post-processing. RESULTS No differences were observed in age, abstinence, volume, sperm morphology, progressive motility, concentration, and vitality (p>0.10). Variables were grouped according to time (pre- vs post-processing) and group (leukocytospermia vs non-leukocytospermia) because no interactions could be observed. Leukocytospermia was associated to increased DNA fragmentation, while semen processing led to a decrease in DNA fragmentation and to increased mitochondrial activity. CONCLUSION While semen processing selects sperm with higher rates of DNA integrity independent of the presence or absence of leukocytes in semen, samples without leukocytospermia present more sperm without DNA fragmentation. Semen processing also selects sperm with higher mitochondrial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Maria Fariello
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Sao Paulo Federal University, R Cotoxó 424 ap 13, 05021-000, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Perl A, Qian Y, Chohan KR, Shirley CR, Amidon W, Banerjee S, Middleton FA, Conkrite KL, Barcza M, Gonchoroff N, Suarez SS, Banki K. Transaldolase is essential for maintenance of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and fertility of spermatozoa. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:14813-8. [PMID: 17003133 PMCID: PMC1595434 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0602678103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertility of spermatozoa depends on maintenance of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Deltapsi(m)), which is generated by the electron-transport chain and regulated by an oxidation-reduction equilibrium of reactive oxygen intermediates, pyridine nucleotides, and glutathione (GSH). Here, we report that male mice lacking transaldolase (TAL)(-/-) are sterile because of defective forward motility. TAL(-/-) spermatozoa show loss of Deltapsi(m) and mitochondrial membrane integrity because of diminished NADPH, NADH, and GSH. Mitochondria constitute major Ca(2+) stores; thus, diminished mitochondrial mass accounts for reduced Ca(2+) fluxing, defective forward motility, and infertility. Reduced forward progression of TAL-deficient spermatozoa is associated with diminished mitochondrial reactive oxygen intermediate production and Ca(2+) levels, intracellular acidosis, and compensatory down-regulation of carbonic anhydrase IV and overexpression of CD38 and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Microarray analyses of gene expression in the testis, caput, and cauda epididymidis of TAL(+/+), TAL(+/-), and TAL(-/-) littermates confirmed a dominant impact of TAL deficiency on late stages of sperm-cell development, affecting the electron-transport chain and GSH metabolism. Stimulation of de novo GSH synthesis by oral N-acetyl-cysteine normalized the low fertility rate of TAL(+/-) males without affecting the sterility of TAL(-/-) males. Whereas TAL(-/-) sperm failed to fertilize TAL(+/+) oocytes in vitro, sterility of TAL(-/-) sperm was circumvented by intracytoplasmic sperm injection, indicating that TAL deficiency influenced the structure and function of mitochondria without compromising the nucleus and DNA integrity. Collectively, these data reveal an essential role of TAL in sperm-cell mitochondrial function and, thus, male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andras Perl
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, State University of New York, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
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Barroso G, Taylor S, Morshedi M, Manzur F, Gaviño F, Oehninger S. Mitochondrial membrane potential integrity and plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine as early apoptotic markers: a comparison of two different sperm subpopulations. Fertil Steril 2006; 85:149-54. [PMID: 16412746 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2005] [Revised: 06/21/2005] [Accepted: 06/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether a relationship exists between loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) in subpopulations of human spermatozoa of men consulting for infertility. SETTING A tertiary institutional research center. DESIGN Prospective observational study. PATIENT(S) Twelve infertile men and five fertile controls were compared. INTERVENTION(S) Sperm subpopulations were compared after density gradient separation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with a cationic dye, translocation of PS was evaluated with Annexin-V binding, and motion parameters were assessed manually. RESULT(S) In both the study and control groups and compared with the high-motility fraction, the low-motility fraction had significantly lower sperm motility and normal morphology, and significantly higher percentage of cells with disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential and plasma membrane PS translocation. There was a positive and significant correlation in both subfertile and control groups between the percentages of Annexin-V+ live cells and cells with mitochondrial membrane potential disruption (r = 0.82 and r = 0.85, respectively). CONCLUSION(S) The correlation of plasma membrane PS translocation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential is suggestive of an early apoptosis phenotype, as is typically observed in somatic cells identified in sperm subpopulations with percentage of low-motile cells. We speculate that such changes might be used as diagnostic markers of sperm dysfunction(s) and that increased levels found in subfertile men might be indicators of reduced fertility potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Barroso
- Assisted Reproductive Division, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Marchetti C, Marchetti P. Place des marqueurs de l'apoptose dans l'exploration de l'infertilité masculine. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 33:669-77. [PMID: 16137915 DOI: 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2005.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2005] [Accepted: 06/27/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Ejaculated spermatozoa, particularly in infertile men, have been shown to display numerous features that are typical of apoptosis in somatic cells including Fas expression, ROS production, activation of caspases, DNA fragmentation, reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine and permeability. In this review we summarize the biological significance and the potential role of these markers in the exploration of men infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Marchetti
- Laboratoire de biologie de la reproduction, hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre, CHRU de Lille, 2, avenue Oscar-Lambret, 59037 Lille cedex, France.
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Imai H, Nakagawa Y. Biological significance of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx, GPx4) in mammalian cells. Free Radic Biol Med 2003; 34:145-69. [PMID: 12521597 DOI: 10.1016/s0891-5849(02)01197-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 533] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known mediators of intracellular signal cascades. Excessive production of ROS may lead to oxidative stress, loss of cell function, and cell death by apoptosis or necrosis. Lipid hydroperoxides are one type of ROS whose biological function has not yet been clarified. Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx, GPx4) is a unique antioxidant enzyme that can directly reduce phospholipid hydroperoxide in mammalian cells. This contrasts with most antioxidant enzymes, which cannot reduce intracellular phospholipid hydroperoxides directly. In this review, we focus on the structure and biological functions of PHGPx in mammalian cells. Recently, molecular techniques have allowed overexpression of PHGPx in mammalian cell lines, from which it has become clear that lipid hydroperoxides also have an important function as activators of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, participate in inflammation, and act as signal molecules for apoptotic cell death and receptor-mediated signal transduction at the cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Imai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Narisawa S, Hecht NB, Goldberg E, Boatright KM, Reed JC, Millán JL. Testis-specific cytochrome c-null mice produce functional sperm but undergo early testicular atrophy. Mol Cell Biol 2002; 22:5554-62. [PMID: 12101247 PMCID: PMC133957 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.22.15.5554-5562.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2001] [Revised: 01/28/2002] [Accepted: 04/30/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiating male germ cells express a testis-specific form of cytochrome c (Cyt c(T)) that is distinct from the cytochrome c expressed in somatic cells (Cyt c(S)). To examine the role of Cyt c(T) in germ cells, we generated mice null for Cyt c(T). Homozygous Cyt c(T)(-/-) pups were statistically underrepresented (21%) but developed normally and were fertile. However, spermatozoa isolated from the cauda epididymis of Cyt c(T)-null animals were less effective in fertilizing oocytes in vitro and contain reduced levels of ATP compared to wild-type sperm. Sperm from Cyt c(T)-null mice contained a greater number of immotile spermatozoa than did samples from control mice, i.e., 53.1% +/- 13.7% versus 33.2% +/- 10.3% (P < 0.0001) for vas deferens sperm and 40.1% +/- 9.6% versus 33.2% +/- 7.5% (P = 0.0104) for epididymal sperm. Cyt c(T)-null mice often exhibit early atrophy of the testes after 4 months of age, losing germ cells as a result of increased apoptosis. However, no difference in the activation of caspase-3, -8, or -9 was detected between the Cyt c(T)(-/-) testes and controls. Our data indicate that the Cyt c(T)-null testes undergo early atrophy equivalent to that which occurs during aging as a consequence of a reduction in oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonoko Narisawa
- The Burnham Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Hallak J, Sharma RK, Pasqualotto FF, Ranganathan P, Thomas AJ, Agarwal A. Creatine kinase as an indicator of sperm quality and maturity in men with oligospermia. Urology 2001; 58:446-51. [PMID: 11549497 DOI: 10.1016/s0090-4295(01)01224-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the differences among the creatine kinase (CK) levels in the spermatozoa of subfertile men with mild, moderate, or severe oligospermia and to examine the differences in CK activity between infertile patients with various clinical diagnoses and a group of normal healthy donors (control). CK is a marker of sperm maturity that correlates with the sperm fertilizing capacity. Elevated levels are associated with an increased rate of functional abnormalities and increased cytoplasmic retention. METHODS We compared the CK levels in 51 oligospermic men who could not initiate a pregnancy. Patients were categorized according to their degree of oligospermia as defined by the total sperm count: mild (greater than 10 to 40 x 10(6); n = 30), moderate (5 to 10 x 10(6); n = 11), and severe (less than 5 x 10(6); n = 10). These patients were further classified according to their diagnosis (ie, varicocele, n = 24; unexplained infertility, n = 17; vasectomy reversal, n = 9; and unknown diagnosis, n = 1). A separate group consisting of 25 healthy donors was included as a control group. A computer-assisted semen analyzer assessed the sperm characteristics, and the CK levels were measured using a CK test kit after the enzyme was extracted with Triton-X. RESULTS The CK levels were significantly higher in the sperm of the severely oligospermic group (8.8 +/- 6.5 IU/10(8) sperm) than in the moderate (0.50 +/- 0.19 IU/10(8) sperm) and mild (0.49 +/- 0.15 IU/10(8) sperm) groups (P <0.0001). The mean CK level in the severely oligospermic group was 18-fold higher than that in the moderate (P = 0.03) and mild (P <0.001) groups. The CK levels were significantly higher in all three infertile groups compared with the donor group (0.06 +/- 0.01 IU/10(8) sperm). Patients with varicocele had the highest CK level (3.42 +/- 2.56 IU/10(8) sperm) compared with patients in the vasectomy reversal group (1.73 +/- 0.98 IU/10(8) sperm) and the idiopathic infertility group (0.26 +/- 0.08 IU/10(8) sperm). CONCLUSIONS Elevated CK levels are associated with severe oligospermia, irrespective of the clinical diagnosis. CK may be a sensitive indicator of sperm quality and maturity in the follow-up of patients treated for male factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hallak
- Division of Urology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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