Does mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) induced by calcium overload cause reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa? Studies conducted in vitro suggest that in human spermatozoa, MPT occurs in response to intracellular calcium increase and is associated with mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) dissipation, increased ROS production and DNA fragmentation. Oxidative stress is a major cause of defective sperm function in male infertility. By opening calcium-dependent pores in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), MPT causes, among other things, increased ROS production and ΔΨm dissipation in somatic cells. MPT as a mechanism for generating oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa has not been studied. Human sperm were exposed to ionomycin for 1.5 h (n = 8) followed by analysis of sperm IMM permeability, ΔΨm, ROS production and DNA fragmentation. To evaluate the MPT in sperm cells, the calcein-AM and cobalt chloride method was used. The ΔΨm was evaluated by JC-1 staining, intracellular ROS production was evaluated with dihydroethidium and DNA fragmentation was evaluated by a modified TUNEL assay. Measurements were performed by fluorescence microscopy, confocal laser microscopy and flow cytometry. Decreased calcein fluorescence after treatment with ionomycin (P < 0.05) suggests the opening of pores in the sperm IMM and this was accompanied by ΔΨm dissipation, increased ROS production and DNA fragmentation. ROS production occurred prior to the decrease in ΔΨm. The study was carried out in vitro using motile sperm from healthy donors; tests on sperm from infertile patients were not carried out. We propose that the MPT, due to pores opening in sperm IMM, is an important mechanism of increased ROS and DNA fragmentation. Therefore, agents that modulate the opening of these pores might contribute to the prevention of damage by oxidative stress in human spermatozoa. This study was funded by grant DI12-0102 from the Universidad de La Frontera (J.V.V.) and a doctoral scholarship from CONICYT Chile (F.T.). The authors disclose no potential conflicts of interest.

Nitrosative stress is produced by high levels of reactive nitrogen species (RNS). The RNS include peroxynitrite, a highly reactive free radical produced from a diffusion-controlled reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide anion. Peroxynitrite causes nitration and oxidation of lipids, proteins and DNA, and is thus considered an important pathogenic mechanism in various diseases. Although high levels of peroxynitrite are associated with astenozoospermia, few reports exist regarding the in vitro effect of high levels of this RNS on human sperm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of nitrosative stress caused by peroxynitrite on the viability, motility and mitochondrial membrane potential of human spermatozoa. To do this, human spermatozoa from healthy donors were exposed in vitro to 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a molecule that generates peroxynitrite. Incubations were done at 37°C for up to 4 h with SIN-1 concentrations between 0.2 and 1.0 mmol/l. Generation of peroxynitrite was confirmed using dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) by spectrophotometry and flow cytometry. Sperm viability was assessed by propidium iodide staining; sperm motility was analyzed by CASA, and the state of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by JC-1 staining. Viability and ΔΨm were measured by flow cytometry. The results showed an increase in DHR oxidation, demonstrating the generation of peroxynitrite through SIN-1. Peroxynitrite decreased progressive and total motility, as well as some sperm kinetic parameters. Mitochondrial membrane potential also decreased. These alterations occurred with no decrease in sperm viability. In conclusion, peroxynitrite-induced nitrosative stress impairs vital functions in the male gamete, possibly contributing to male infertility.

Oxidative stress (OS) and disrupted antioxidant defense mechanisms play a pivotal role in the etiology of male infertility. The alterations in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis are the main activators for the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening. The mPTP opening is one of the main mechanisms involved in mitochondrial dysfunction in spermatozoa. This alteration in mitochondrial function adversely affects energy supply, sperm motility, and fertilizing capacity and contributes to the development of male infertility. In human spermatozoa, the mPTP opening has been associated with ionomycin-induced endogenous oxidative stress and peroxynitrite-induced nitrosative stress; however, the effect of exogenous oxidative stress on mPTP opening in sperm has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exogenous oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on mPTP opening, mitochondrial function, motility, and cell death markers in human spermatozoa. Human spermatozoa were incubated with 3 mmol/L of H₂O₂ for 60 min, and intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, mPTP opening, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), ATP levels, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) production, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, DNA fragmentation, viability, and sperm motility were evaluated. H₂O₂-induced exogenous oxidative stress caused increased intracellular Ca²⁺, leading to subsequent mPTP opening and alteration of mitochondrial function, characterized by ΔΨm dissipation, decreased ATP levels, increased mROS production, and the subsequent alteration of sperm motility. Furthermore, H₂O₂-induced opening of mPTP was associated with the expression of apoptotic cell death markers including PS externalization and DNA fragmentation. These results highlight the role of exogenous oxidative stress in causing mitochondrial dysfunction, deterioration of sperm motility, and an increase in apoptotic cell death markers, including PS externalization and DNA fragmentation, through the mPTP opening. This study yielded new knowledge regarding the effects of this type of stress on mitochondrial function and specifically on mPTP opening, factors that can contribute to the development of male infertility, considering that the role of mPTP in mitochondrial dysfunction in human sperm is not completely elucidated. Therefore, these findings are relevant to understanding male infertility and may provide an in vitro model for further research aimed at improving human sperm quality.