Sperm mitochondrial function in men with Sperm mitochondrial function in men with normozoospermia and asthenozoospermia
Abstract
One of causes of male infertility is reduced sperm motility. It turns out that the reduced efficiency of the mitochondrial respiratory activity may play a role in the development of this disorder.
The aim of our study was to comprehensively determine mitochondrial respiratory activity of sperm with normal and reduced motility. Ejaculates of 14 men were obtained from IVF Center Prof.
Zech, Pilsen. According to the World Health Organization classification, samples were divided into normozoospermatic (n = 7) and asthenozoospermatic (n = 7) groups.
Respiratory activity of sperm was measured on two-chamber oxygraph Oroboros.In asthenozoospermatic samples, significantly reduced activity of complex I (p = 0.007) and increased respiration after application of ATP-synthase inhibitoroligomycin (showing increased uncoupled oxidation and phosphorylation, p = 0.046) were found. Inhibition of complex I by rotenone showed that complex I contribution to the total capacity of oxidative phosphorylation of healthy sperm was relatively lower than it is typical for somatic cells.