Progesterone, myo-inositol, dopamine and prolactin present in follicular fluid have differential effects on sperm motility subpopulations
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Considering the challenges surrounding causative factors in male infertility, rather than
relying on standard semen analysis, the assessment of sperm subpopulations and functional characteristics essential for fertilization is paramount. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of sperm interactions
with biological components in the female reproductive tract may improve our understanding of subfertility and provide applications in assisted reproductive techniques. We investigated the response of
two sperm motility subpopulations (mimicking the functionality of potentially fertile and sub-fertile
semen samples) to biological substances present in the female reproductive tract. Donor semen was
separated via double density gradient centrifugation, isolated into high (HM) and low motile (LM)
sperm subpopulations and incubated in human tubal fluid (HTF), capacitating HTF, HD-C medium,
progesterone, myo-inositol, dopamine and prolactin. Treated subpopulations were evaluated for
vitality, motility percentages and kinematic parameters, hyperactivation, positive reactive oxygen
species (ROS), intact mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and acrosome reaction (AR). While
all media had a significantly positive effect on the LM subpopulation, dopamine appeared to significantly improve both subpopulations’ functional characteristics. HD-C, progesterone and myo-inositol
resulted in increased motility, kinematic and hyperactivation parameters, whereas prolactin and
myo-inositol improved the LM subpopulations’ MMP intactness and reduced ROS. Furthermore,
progesterone, myo-inositol and dopamine improved the HM subpopulations’ motility parameters
and AR. Our results suggest that treatment of sub-fertile semen samples with biological substances
present in follicular fluid might assist the development of new strategies for IVF treatment.
Description
Keywords
Progesterone, Myo-inositol, Dopamine, Prolactin, Sperm subpopulations
Citation
Keyser, S.; van der Horst, G.; Maree, L. Progesterone, Myo-Inositol, Dopamine and Prolactin Present in Follicular Fluid Have Differential Effects on Sperm Motility Subpopulations. Life 2021, 11, 1250. https://doi.org/10.3390/ life11111250