In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a reproductive method that assists in overcoming infertility. Besides the clinical setting, IVF is also used to support the production of laboratory animals for life science research. However, it is necessary to further improve the fertility rates and the success of the technique. A study in Biology of Reproduction analyzes the effect of the redox state of thiol groups, previously found to be involved in sperm maturation, in sperm membrane proteins and fertilization ability in mice. Treatment with 5,5-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) to oxidize thiol groups in sperm membrane proteins decreased the in vitro fertilization ability of sperm compared to untreated sperm. Further analysis indicated that the reduction of sperm fertility resulted from sperm dysfunction in penetrating the zona pellucida, surrounding the oocyte. Increased oxidization of thiol groups also reduced the calcium flux needed for sperm capacitation. The team observed a similar decrease in sperm fertility when they used DTNB-treated sperm for the artificial insemination of mice. These results show that the redox status of the thiol groups in sperm membrane proteins influences the reproductive success of IVF.
Original reference: Nakao, S. et al Biol. Reprod. 17, ioae183 (2024)
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