The role of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in human ejaculated sperm damage under a state of scrotal heat stress.

Autor: Budzinska M; Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland., Kamieniczna M; Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland., Wojnar L; Clinic of Urology and Oncological Urology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland., Gill K; Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland., Piasecka M; Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland., Kups M; Department and Clinic of Urology and Oncological Urology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland.; The Fertility Partnership Vitrolive in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland., Fraczek M; Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland. monika.fraczek@igcz.poznan.pl.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics [J Assist Reprod Genet] 2024 Jan; Vol. 41 (1), pp. 99-108. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Dec 08.
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02992-9
Abstrakt: Purpose: The study aimed to determine the associations among standard sperm characteristics and oxidative/apoptotic markers in ejaculated sperm of men exposed to prolonged scrotal hyperthermia of either environmental or clinical origin.
Methods: The original study design included four research groups: professional drivers (n = 54), infertile men with varicocele (n = 78), infertile men not exposed to prolonged genital heat stress (n = 37), and fertile individuals serving as the control group (n = 29). Standard semen analysis was performed according to the 5th WHO laboratory manual. The following oxidative and apoptotic parameters of sperm were investigated: mitochondrial superoxide anion generation (MitoSOX Red dye), phosphatidylserine externalization (Annexin V binding assay), mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1 dye), DNA fragmentation (TUNEL/PI assay), and membrane fluidity (merocyanine 540 dye).
Results: All the studied groups presented a strong deterioration in routine sperm parameters and a strongly apoptotic phenotype in sperm, characterized by both decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced DNA fragmentation, regardless of the thermal insult. Significant induction of mitochondrial superoxide anion generation was noted only in the groups exposed to genital heat stress. A positive correlation between the production of superoxide anion in the mitochondrial chain and the level of DNA fragmentation in drivers was also noted.
Conclusion: Long-term exposure to scrotal hyperthermia in real-life situations is sufficient to reduce sperm quality in humans. The thermal stress directly induces the oxidative stress cascade in ejaculated sperm, affecting the plasma membrane fluidity, mitochondrial homeostasis, and sperm DNA integrity.
(© 2023. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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