Abstract
Plant bioactives, such as polyphenols, can differentially affect (positively or negatively) sperm quality, depending on their concentration. These molecules have been proposed as natural scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for male infertility treatment. However, few data are available about their effects on the molecular mechanisms related to sperm quality and, in particular, to sperm mitochondrial function. We investigated the effects of quercetin, naringenin, genistein, apigenin, luteolin, and resveratrol at the concentration of 0.1–1000 nM on mitochondrial respiration efficiency. Upon chemical exposure, spermatozoa were swollen in a hypotonic solution and used for polarographic assays of mitochondrial respiration. All tested compounds, except for apigenin, caused a significant increase in the mitochondrial respiration efficiency at the concentration of 0.1 nM, and a significant decrease starting from concentrations of 10 nM. The analysis of oxygen consumption rate in the active and in the resting state of mitochondrial respiration suggested different mechanisms by which the tested compounds modulate mitochondrial function. Therefore, by virtue of their ability to stimulate the respiration active state, quercetin, genistein, and luteolin were found to improve mitochondrial function in asthenozoospermic samples. Our results are relevant to the debate on the promises and perils of natural antioxidants in nutraceutical supplementation.
Highlights
Current evidence links oxidative stress to male subfertility and infertility [1]
The aim aim of of this this study study is is to to evaluate evaluate the the possible possible effects effects of of plant plant bioactives bioactives on sperm mitochondria, since these organelles play a key role in the modulation of on sperm sperm mitochondria, since these organelles organelles playthe a key key role in ineffects the modulation modulation of sperm sperm
Starting from concentrations of 10 nM, we found a significant decrease in sperm from concentrations of 10 nM, we found a significant decrease in sperm mitochondrial mitochondrial respiration efficiency, reaching the lowest value at the concentration of respiration efficiency, reaching the lowest value at the concentration of 1000 nM
Summary
Current evidence links oxidative stress to male subfertility and infertility [1]. adequate and controlled reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels play an important role in sperm physiology, high ROS levels negatively affect sperm quality and function [2,3,4,5].Mature sperm cells are sensitive to reactive oxygen species’ damaging effects, because they lack proper repair machineries and have inadequate antioxidant capacity [6].Different findings suggest a central role of sperm mitochondria in oxidative damage and related infertility [7,8], since these organelles, according to the “mitochondrial theory of aging”, are, at the same time, ROS generators and ROS targets [9,10,11]. Current evidence links oxidative stress to male subfertility and infertility [1]. Adequate and controlled reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels play an important role in sperm physiology, high ROS levels negatively affect sperm quality and function [2,3,4,5]. Mature sperm cells are sensitive to reactive oxygen species’ damaging effects, because they lack proper repair machineries and have inadequate antioxidant capacity [6]. Different findings suggest a central role of sperm mitochondria in oxidative damage and related infertility [7,8], since these organelles, according to the “mitochondrial theory of aging”, are, at the same time, ROS generators and ROS targets [9,10,11]. Mitochondria have been identified as a potential therapeutic target and considerable effort has been made to evaluate the efficacy of natural compounds
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