Sperm midpiece apoptotic markers: impact on fertilizing potential in in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between apoptotic markers present in human spermatozoa, namely phosphatidylserine translocation (PST) from the inner to the outer layer of the cytomembrane and the active form of caspase-3 (c3) versus the fertilizing potential of male gametes in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) models. A total of 116 male patients treated with their partners for infertility underwent basic semen analysis and an assessment of the presence of PST and the active c3 in sperm using flow cytometry. Forty patients underwent IVF, group A, while 76 patients underwent ICSI, group B. The fertilizing potential of the gametes was measured as the percentage of oocytes with pronuclei present after either procedure. PST and active c3 were identified in vital gametes, mainly in the midpiece area. Concentration, motility, morphology, and viability of spermatozoa strongly negatively correlated with both markers. In group A, a negative correlation between both markers and the success rate of conventional IVF was observed (r = −0.4, p = 0.04 for PST; r = −0.4, p = 0.02 for active c3, respectively). In group B, the success rate of ICSI did not correlate with either marker (r = −0.2, p = 0.85 for PST and r = 0.1, p = 0.51 for active c3). The two apoptotic markers localized in the sperm midpiece area may affect their function not only by decreasing basic andrologic parameters but also by reducing the probability of conception. Therefore, analysis of PST and active c3 in the sperm of patients undergoing infertility treatment should be recommended.

Exposure of Fluoride with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Aggravates Testicular Damage and Spermatozoa Parameters in Mice

“…Apoptosis plays an essential role in the spermatogenesis and sperm maturation [56]; however, abnormal apoptosis resulting from the mitochondrial pathways, alterations in testes can also negatively affect spermatogenesis and sperm count [57]. Apoptosis markers can be used to assess the capability of fertilization in spermatozoa [58]. In this study concerning apoptosis, a greater significant increase in the activation of caspase 3/7 in spermatozoa was observed in the subchronic fluoride exposure under diabetic conditions.…”

Mechanisms of ROS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis underlying liquid storage of goat spermatozoa

“…Increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated that apoptosis, as an ongoing physiological phenomenon, seems to exert a strong influence on the decrease in spermatozoa quality [5, 6]. In stored spermatozoa, apoptosis may directly affect the changes in typical spermatozoa quality parameters, including motility, acrosome status, membrane integrity, and phosphatidylserine distribution [14–16]. Previous studies revealed that freezing and thawing-induced apoptosis is inversely correlated with spermatozoa motility and plasma membrane integrity during cryopreservation [15, 19, 22].…”

“…Earlier studies have considered that spermatozoa exhibit little transcriptional activity and, thus, do not undergo apoptosis [9–11]. Nevertheless, recent considerable evidences have strongly demonstrated the occurrence of apoptosis in spermatozoa, exhibiting signs of phosphatidylserine exteriorization, caspase activation, and DNA damage [11–14]. Clinical studies and laboratory findings have reported that apoptosis impacts the functional quality of spermatozoa [15, 16].…”

Acrosome reaction and chromatin integrity as additional parameters of semen analysis to predict fertilization and blastocyst rates

“…Due that semen quality assessed by WHO criteria does not fully predict male fertility [ 8 ], new methodologies have been developed to determine sperm quality and function, including proteomic analysis [ 9 , 10 ], apoptotic markers [ 11 ], oxidative status [ 12 , 13 ], DNA adducts [ 14 ], and DNA methylation status [ 15 ], obtaining good associations with male fertility. Unfortunately, these techniques are expensive and difficult to include in the operational process in andrology laboratories, and therefore have not had continuity.…”