The functionality of mitochondria differentiates human spermatozoa with high and low fertilizing capability.
By using flow-cytometric sorting, we compared some of the major factors related to fertility in sperm subpopulations with high and low mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)). Results demonstrate that DeltaPsi(m)(high) spermatozoa represents a subpopulation of sperm with high fertility performance because they have normal morphology, high motility values, and calcium ionophore-induced acrosome reaction, suggesting the importance of mitochondrial functionality for fertilizing capacity of human spermatozoa.
Gallon
Frédérique
F
INSERM U814, Faculté de Médecine 1, Lille, France.
Marchetti
Carole
C
Jouy
Nathalie
N
Marchetti
Philippe
P
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*