Metabolic Reprogramming in Male Infertility: Mechanistic Integration and Translational Perspectives From Mouse Models - PubMed
2 hours ago
- #male infertility
- #metabolic reprogramming
- #spermatogenesis
- Spermatogenesis involves dynamic metabolic reprogramming with transitions from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), then to fatty acid and amino acid utilization.
- Disruption of metabolic reprogramming leads to oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, meiotic defects, and chromatin instability, contributing to idiopathic male infertility.
- Systemic metabolic disorders (e.g., obesity, diabetes) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals can impair Sertoli-germ cell metabolic coupling, exacerbating testicular metabolic imbalance.
- A metabolism-centered classification framework for idiopathic male infertility is proposed: glycolysis-impaired, OXPHOS-deficient, lipid-overload, and one-carbon metabolism-dysregulated subtypes.
- Translational potential includes targeting metabolic pathways with mitochondrial-directed antioxidants, energy-sensing modulation, and nutritional interventions.
- Future research should integrate metabolic imaging, testicular organoids, seminal metabolomic biomarkers, and clinical trials for precision diagnostics and therapeutics.