Sperm mitochondrial membrane potential: relationship with seminal parameters and lifestyle habits

El potencial de membrana mitocondrial espermático: relación con parámetros seminales y hábitos de vida

Background: Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) is indicative of mitochondrial activity. Hence, MMP values can be used as a sperm functionality and motility indicator. Although it is recognized that MMP is influenced by lifestyle and seminal parameters, the relationship is not completely clear due to the diversity of factors involved and limitations in study design. Therefore, further research is needed to establish direct causal connections. The present study investigated the relationship between MMP with conventional and physiological sperm parameters, and with modifiable lifestyle factors. Methods: To achieve this, 32 seminal samples obtained from male donors were analysed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The MMP was assessed using JC-1 (5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide) in sperm from fresh samples and analysed by fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, a survey was performed to assess the lifestyle habits of the donors. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of JC-1 in sperm, differentiating for the first time four colours based on MMP fluorescence: high mitochondrial MMP (red), medium-high MMP (orange), low mitochondrial MMP (green), and very low MMP (no fluorescence). Percentages were added to obtain two populations: total high and total low MMP. Results: Our results showed that lifestyle habits can impact on MMP values. Furthermore, sperm MMP values were correlated with conventional seminal parameters, and with the concentration of motile sperm after 1 h of in vitro capacitation. Additionally, men with total high MMP values higher than 60.05% achieved a higher concentration of sperm cells after 1 and 4 h of in vitro capacitation. Conclusions: Research on MMP and its influence on male fertility will contribute to a better understanding of reproductive biology and to develop targeted interventions for infertility.

Resumen

Antecedentes: El potencial de membrana mitocondrial (MMP, según sus siglas en inglés) es un indicador de la actividad mitocondrial, por lo que sus valores pueden utilizarse como un indicador de la funcionalidad y motilidad espermática. Aunque se conoce que el MMP está influenciado por los hábitos de vida y parámetros seminales, la relación no está completamente clara debido a la diversidad de factores involucrados y las limitaciones en el diseño de diferentes estudios. Por lo tanto, se necesita investigación adicional para establecer conexiones causales directas. El presente estudio investigó la relación entre el MMP y los parámetros espermáticos convencionales y fisiológicos, y con factores de estilo de vida modificables. Métodos: Para lograrlo, se analizaron 32 muestras seminales obtenidas de donantes masculinos de acuerdo con las directrices de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). El MMP se evaluó utilizando el marcador JC-1 (5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide) en espermatozoides de muestras seminales frescas, mediante su análisis con microscopía de fluorescencia. Además, se realizó una encuesta para evaluar los hábitos de vida de los donantes. Se realizó un análisis exhaustivo de JC-1 en espermatozoides, diferenciando por primera vez cuatro colores en función de la fluorescencia emitida por la pieza intermedia: MMP mitocondrial alto (rojo), MMP medio-alto (naranja), MMP mitocondrial bajo (verde) y MMP muy bajo (sin fluorescencia). Por otra parte, los porcentajes de MMP fueron sumados para obtener dos poblaciones espermáticas según su MMP: MMP total alto y MMP total bajo. Resultados: Nuestros resultados mostraron que los hábitos de vida pueden afectar los valores de MMP. Además de esto, los valores de MMP se correlacionaron con parámetros seminales convencionales y con la concentración de espermatozoides mótiles después de 1 h de capacitación in vitro. Además, los hombres con valores de MMP total alto superiores al 60.05% lograron una mayor concentración de espermatozoides después de 1 y 4 h de capacitación in vitro. Conclusiones: La investigación sobre MMP y su influencia en la fertilidad masculina contribuirá a una mejor comprensión de la biología reproductiva y al desarrollo de intervenciones específicas dirigidas al tratamiento de la infertilidad.

Male fertility; Mitochondrial membrane potential; MMP; Seminal parameters; Lifestyle habits; JC-1; Sperm capacitation

Palabras Clave

Fertilidad masculina; Potencial de membrana mitocondrial; MMP; Parámetros seminales; Hábitos de vida; JC-1; Capacitación espermática

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