Abstract
Detection of Cholesterol and its Oxidized Derivatives in Human Sperm Membranes through a Fast and Reliable LC-MS Method
Highlights
The synthesis and trafficking of cholesterol (Chol) in mammals represent among the most tightly regulated biological processes [1]
The overall sperm motility of each sample was graded according to WHO criteria, evaluating the progressive motility (PR), namely the percentage of spermatozoa moving actively, either linearly or in a large circle, regardless of speed; the nonprogressive motility (NP) as the percentage of sperm cells featured by all other patterns of motility with an absence of progression, e.g. swimming in small circles; immotility (IM) as the percentage of sperm cells showing no movement
Consistent with data reported in the literature [13,14], Chol and 7β -OH cholesterol (7β-OHC) underwent water loss and proton addition during atmospheric pressure ionization (APCI)-MS analysis and were detected as [M+H-H2O]+ions at 369.35 m/z and 385.33 m/z, respectively, whereas 7-KC was detected as a molecular ion [M]+ at 400.33 (m/z) and [M+H]+ ions at 401.33 m/z
Summary
The synthesis and trafficking of cholesterol (Chol) in mammals represent among the most tightly regulated biological processes [1]. Deregulation of this balance results in major consequences on cell homeostasis and health status of an individual. There are more than 30 different known oxidative derivatives of Chol, but only a few of them are quantitatively important, including 7β -OH cholesterol (7β-OHC) and 7-Ketocholesterol (7-KC) which are produced through non-enzymatic pathways [3]. Oxysterols would subsequently regulate Chol synthesis by either the involvement of the Liver-X-Receptor (LXR) or through LXR-independent mechanisms Figure 1A [3, 4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
