Infertility is a global health issue that affects almost 15% of couples, with male infertility contributing to approximately half of the cases. Oxidative stress can result in spermatozoal defects and therefore contribute to infertility. However, the specific antioxidant mechanisms contributing to redox homeostasis in male germ cells and their role in male fertility are still poorly understood.
In a new study this month, Chao Huang, Chengcheng Yang, Dejiang Pang and colleagues identify LanCL1, a glutathione-binding protein abundantly expressed in the testis and brain, as a major antioxidant component, reduction of which is linked to male sub/infertility. LanCL1-deficient mice exhibit spermatozoal oxidative damage and subfertility, while mice expressing LanCL1 transgene are protected from high-fat diet/obesity-induced oxidative damage and subfertility. These findings uncover the role of LanCL1 in testicular homeostasis and highlight the value of the LanCL1 mouse models for male subfertility studies.
