Abstract
Sperm fertility ability may be modulated by different molecular systems, such as the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Although renin is one of its most relevant peptides, the presence and role of the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) is completely unknown. We have proved for the first time the existence of PRR and its transcript in human sperm by western blot and RT-PCR. Immunofluorescence studies showed that this receptor is mainly located in the apical region over the acrosome and in the postacrosomal region of the sperm head and along the sperm tail. In addition, this prospective cohort study also proves that semen samples with higher percentages of PRR-positive spermatozoa are associated with poor sperm motility, worse blastocyst development and no-viable blastocysts. Our results provide insight into how PRR play a negative role in sperm physiology that it may condition human embryo quality and development. An in-depth understanding of the role of PRR in sperm fertility can help elucidate its role in male infertility, as well as establish biomarkers for the diagnosis or selection of sperm to use during assisted reproductive techniques.
Highlights
Over 186 million people worldwide have infertility problems [1], and male factor represents 30 to 50 % of clinical infertility cases [2]
Several cell communication systems are involved in the regulation of human sperm fertility capacity [10,11], including reninangiotensin system (RAS) [12,13,14]
The present work has described for the first time the presence of PRR in human spermatozoa at the gene and protein level providing new evidence of the prorenin-renin/PRR axis in human spermatozoa
Summary
Over 186 million people worldwide have infertility problems [1], and male factor represents 30 to 50 % of clinical infertility cases [2]. 20 to 30 % of men with normal parameters have fertility problems since they are unable to achieve pregnancy [4], suggesting that molecular deficiencies not described yet could cause male infertility [5]. A better comprehension of those sperm molecular characteristics will allow us to develop functionally relevant diagnostic and sperm selection strategies to maximize reproductive success [9]. Different communication systems such as opioids [10], tachykinins [11] or the reninangiotensin system (RAS) [12,13,14] seem to be especially relevant in the regulation of sperm fertility. RAS components can locally synthesize in multiple tissues and cells suggesting that
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