Metabolomics of Male Infertility Biomarkers
Summary
Metabolomics, the systematic study of small-molecule metabolites in biological specimens, has emerged as a powerful tool to uncover biomarkers of male infertility. By profiling the chemical fingerprints of seminal plasma, spermatozoa and related fluids, researchers can detect perturbations in pathways governing energy metabolism, lipid homeostasis, amino acid turnover and redox balance. Such perturbations often correlate with standard semen parameters—sperm count, motility and morphology—offering a deeper mechanistic insight where conventional semen analysis falls short. The global prevalence of male factor infertility, affecting up to half of infertility cases worldwide, underscores the urgency of non-invasive, sensitive diagnostic panels. Metabolomics not only aids in early detection and classification of subtypes such as oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia but also pinpoints therapeutic targets by revealing dysregulated metabolites involved in mitochondrial function, membrane integrity and hormone signalling. As multi-omics approaches integrate metabolic data with genomic and proteomic information, a more comprehensive picture of spermatogenic failure and accessory gland dysfunction is emerging, paving the way for precision medicine in reproductive health.
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Metabolomics of Male Infertility Biomarkers publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in metabolomics of male infertility biomarkers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Metabolomics: The comprehensive analysis of small-molecule metabolites within cells, tissues or biofluids.
Biomarker: A measurable indicator of a biological state or condition, used for diagnosis or monitoring.
Seminal plasma: The fluid component of semen that surrounds and nourishes spermatozoa.
Lipidomics: A branch of metabolomics focused on the systematic study of lipid species and their biological roles.
Acylcarnitines: Fatty acid–carnitine conjugates involved in mitochondrial transport and β-oxidation of fatty acids.
References
- Multi-omics study identifies that PICK1 deficiency causes male infertility by inhibiting vesicle trafficking in Sertoli cells. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology (2023).
- Seminal plasma untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic profiling for the identification of a novel panel of biomarkers and therapeutic targets related to male infertility. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023).
- A new perspective on semen quality of aged male: The characteristics of metabolomics and proteomics. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2023).
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