Structure and function of mitochondria and its role in male infertility

Infertility refers to the inability to conceive after at least ۱۲ months of intercourse without prevention. About half of all infertility factors are due to male factors. Genetic factors are the important factors that contributed to the infertility of men. Genetic factors influencing male infertility can be intra-nuclear or extra-nuclear. A large number of nuclear genes such as protamine genes, aryl hydrocarbon receptors, etc. are involved in male infertility. Deletions and mutations in the genome of mitochondria are one of the most important extra-nuclear factors affecting male infertility. One of the chief features of spermatozoa is its motility, which is essential for the fertilization process. Due to the supply of energy to the sperm by the mitochondria, any defect in it can impair sperm motility and asthenospermia. Mitochondrial genome disorders such as point mutations and genomic deletions, especially the three deletions bp۴۹۷۷, bp۷۳۴۵, and bp۷۵۹۹ may be the main cause of asthenospermia. Identification of mitochondrial molecular defects can be helpful in diagnosing infertility factors, especially asthenospermia. This study aimed to describe the structure and function of mitochondria and its role in the pathophysiology of male infertility.

Keywords:

mitochondria , MtDNA , Male infertility , Oxidative phosphorylation