Abstract
Objectives Fatty acids (FA) modulate oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammatory processes in spermatogenesis. Methods The amount of 17 different FAs and the level of F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) and cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) were compared and correlated to sperm characteristics; these last ones were evaluated by light and electronic microscopy in varicocele and idiopathic infertile patients. Results Total n-3 polyunsaturated acids (PUFAs) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the n-3 PUFAs, were significantly reduced in idiopathic infertile men compared to controls (P < 0.05). In the whole studied population, oleic acid and total monounsaturated acids (MUFAs) correlated negatively with sperm concentration, progressive motility, normal morphology, vitality, and fertility index and positively with sperm necrosis. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) amount was positively correlated with the percentage of sperm necrosis and cPLA2 level and negatively with sperm concentration. Sperm vitality was negatively correlated with the saturated fatty acids (SFAs). In infertile groups, cPLA2 was negatively correlated with DHA and n-3 PUFAs (both P < 0.05) and positively with EPA (P < 0.05). In the varicocele group, sperm vitality was negatively correlated with palmitoleic acid and total n-6 PUFAs (P < 0.05); sperm apoptosis was positively correlated with the total SFA percentage (P < 0.05). Conclusions FA composition in sperm membrane and the metabolism of sperm FAs are interrelated parameters, both relevant in sperm maturation processes and fertility.
Highlights
Phospholipids, glycerophospholipids, and cholesterol define the lipid composition of the plasma membranes [1]; in spermatozoa, it is directly related to sperm physiology regulating cellular osmotic balance [2], sperm motility [3], and acrosome reaction and sperm-oocyte fusion [4]
Cell flow and elasticity of plasma membranes are linked to the presence of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) which are abundant in mammalian spermatozoa
By considering that each sperm sample showed a different number of cells and that in the investigated patients’ groups, different amounts of membrane Fatty acids (FA) could be present; the absolute values of each investigated parameters were normalized, i.e., expressed as a ratio, to FA contents and sperm parameters in order to make them comparable in the investigated groups (Table 2)
Summary
Phospholipids, glycerophospholipids, and cholesterol define the lipid composition of the plasma membranes [1]; in spermatozoa, it is directly related to sperm physiology regulating cellular osmotic balance [2], sperm motility [3], and acrosome reaction and sperm-oocyte fusion [4]. FAs are classified, according to the presence of double bonds in their chain structure, as saturated FAs (SFAs), in the absence of double bonds, as monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs), when a single double bond is present, and as polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) when having two or more double bonds. FA composition, as a different ratio in PUFAs, MUFAs, and SFAs, seems to be a relevant factor in explaining sperm quality. A negative correlation between increased SFAs [12] or trans FA levels [13] and normal sperm parameters was described
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