Mitochondrial DNA Content of Human Spermatozoa

Sperm mitochondria play an important role in spermatozoa because of the high ATP demand of these cells. Different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and haplogroups influence sperm function. The mtDNA dose also contributes to genetic variability and pathology in different tissues and organs, but no...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology of reproduction 2003-01, Vol.68 (1), p.180-185
Main Authors: DIEZ-SANCHEZ, Carmen, RUIZ-PESINI, Eduardo, LAPENA, Ana Cristina, MONTOYA, Julio, PEREZ-MARTOS, Acisclo, ENRIQUEZ, José Antonio, LOPEZ-PEREZ, Manuel J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Case-Control Studies
DNA, Mitochondrial - analysis
DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
Mammalian male genital system
Morphology. Physiology
Mutation
Oligospermia - genetics
Oligospermia - metabolism
Semen - cytology
Spermatogenesis
Spermatozoa - metabolism
Vertebrates: reproduction
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Summary:Sperm mitochondria play an important role in spermatozoa because of the high ATP demand of these cells. Different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and haplogroups influence sperm function. The mtDNA dose also contributes to genetic variability and pathology in different tissues and organs, but nothing is known about its relevance in the performance of spermatozoa. We estimated the variability in mtDNA content within a population of men. Different mtDNA:nuclear DNA ratios were characteristic of progressive and nonprogressive spermatozoa, confirming the influence of mtDNA content on sperm functionality. We also estimated that the absolute content of mtDNA was 700 and 1200 mtDNA copies per cell in progressive and nonprogressive human spermatozoa, respectively. These results suggest that a marked increase of mtDNA copy number per cell volume takes place during spermatogenesis.
ISSN:0006-3363
1529-7268
DOI:10.1095/biolreprod.102.005140