Sperm Mitochondrial Membrane Potential
In human, a correlation exists between poor sperm mitochondrial function detected by reduction of MMP, and diminished motility and reduced fertility. Sperm motility parameters such as average path velocity and curvilinear velocity are higher for sperm with higher MMP. Analysis of mitochondrial function can be achieved by determining the inner mitochondrial membrane potential in sperm cells. The energy status of the mitochondria is depicted by the MMP, which regulates the intact functional mitochondria and is directly associated with the motility of spermatozoa (Marchetti et al. 2002).
High correlation of MMP with forward motility confirms the strong link between functional status of mitochondria and sperm quality (Marchetti et al, 2002). Correlation of MMP results with sperm morphology may provide interesting information as morphologically abnormal spermatozoa with midpiece defects have been linked with excessive production of ROS (Gil-Guzman et al, 2001).
In the recent years, effects of sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) on sperm fertilization ability have attracted more and more attentions. Measuring the sperm DNA damage and correlating the damage with the MMP can provide much stronger evidence for the relationship between nuclear DNA damage and MMP.
Impact of Sperm MMP and infertility
Reference:
Marchetti C, Obert G, Deffosez A, et al, (2002) Hum Reprod 17:1257–1265
Gil-Guzman E, Ollero M, Lopez MC, et al, (2001). Hum Reprod 2001;16:1922–30
High correlation of MMP with forward motility confirms the strong link between functional status of mitochondria and sperm quality (Marchetti et al, 2002). Correlation of MMP results with sperm morphology may provide interesting information as morphologically abnormal spermatozoa with midpiece defects have been linked with excessive production of ROS (Gil-Guzman et al, 2001).
In the recent years, effects of sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) on sperm fertilization ability have attracted more and more attentions. Measuring the sperm DNA damage and correlating the damage with the MMP can provide much stronger evidence for the relationship between nuclear DNA damage and MMP.
Impact of Sperm MMP and infertility
- The healthy Mitochondria is the energy of active sperm for the fertility
- Infertile men have low levels of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential affect the motility of spermatozoa
- MMP levels can be Low in men with both normal and abnormal semen parameters
- The loss of MMP levels cause sperm DNA fragmentation
- Low MMP levels are correlated with an increased time to natural pregnancy
- Low level of MMP levels impair fertilisation, affect blastocyst development and reduce pregnancy rates after IVF.
Reference:
Marchetti C, Obert G, Deffosez A, et al, (2002) Hum Reprod 17:1257–1265
Gil-Guzman E, Ollero M, Lopez MC, et al, (2001). Hum Reprod 2001;16:1922–30