Scientists have engineered a diagnostic assay that can detect viable sperm in men struggling with infertility, specifically those diagnosed with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). This advancement has the potential to significantly alter the landscape of male infertility treatments and assisted reproductive technologies. The research focuses on two proteins—AKAP4 and ASPX—found in fully-formed sperm, and indicates that this development could eventually pave the way for non-hormonal male contraceptives.
Newly discovered protein markers enable the visualization of mature sperm, facilitating the evaluation of the likelihood of successful surgical sperm extraction.
In a recent scientific investigation, researchers unveiled a diagnostic assay aimed at recognizing viable sperm in men who are infertile, potentially transforming the methods employed in treating male infertility and in assisted reproductive processes.
“Male infertility warrants scientific and clinical scrutiny,” stated Andrei Drabovich, Assistant Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Alberta, and the primary author of the study published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
Approximately one in six couples attempting to have children face challenges related to infertility. Indeed, nearly 10% of the male population in the United States are infertile. The leading cause of severe male infertility is nonobstructive azoospermia, a condition characterized by the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to compromised sperm development.
Despite significant advancements in assisted reproductive technology over the past half-century, as noted by Drabovich, procuring sperm from men diagnosed with NOA can necessitate up to 10 hours in surgical settings and has inconsistent success rates.
“During prolonged surgical procedures, surgeons might only manage to extract a few viable sperm,” said Drabovich.
This has led Drabovich to focus on creating a noninvasive diagnostic tool to detect NOA and determine if these individuals possess functional sperm capable of fertilizing an egg.
“Assays that can confirm the presence or absence of intact sperm can provide valuable insights into the total sperm count in the individual,” explained Drabovich. “The presence of functional sperm in the ejaculate serves as a go-ahead signal for the urologist and the surgical team to proceed with surgical intervention, although locating intact sperm amid cellular debris poses a formidable challenge.”
Utilizing mass spectrometry, Drabovich and his team analyzed semen samples from both fertile and infertile men, some of whom were diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia or NOA. Post-analysis, they discovered the proteins AKAP4 and ASPX in intact sperm cells in men with NOA. These proteins were identified in specific locations within the sperm—ASPK in the head and AKAP4 in the tail—through a technique called imaging flow cytometry. This method captures images of individual cells, and computational algorithms subsequently assist researchers in sifting through the plethora of images to find intact sperm cells.
Drabovich intends to further investigate the roles of AKAP4 and ASPX in sperm functionality. He also suggested that this line of research could lead to the development of non-hormonal male contraceptives.
“We are considering the possibility of reversing the narrative to focus on male contraceptives,” Drabovich remarked. “Understanding the functions of these proteins may enable us to inhibit them, thereby creating a non-hormonal male contraceptive, a medical development that is highly sought after at present.”
Reference: “Germ Cell–Specific Proteins AKAP4 and ASPX Facilitate Identification of Rare Spermatozoa in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia” by Junyan Zhang, Mirzo Kanoatov, Keith Jarvi, Andree Gauthier-Fisher, Sergey I. Moskovtsev, Clifford Librach, and Andrei P. Drabovich, published on April 21, 2023, in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100556
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Diagnostic Test for Male Infertility
What is the main focus of the new diagnostic test?
The primary focus of the new diagnostic test is to identify functional sperm in men who are infertile, specifically those diagnosed with a condition called nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA).
Who led the research on the new diagnostic test?
The research was led by Andrei Drabovich, an Assistant Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Alberta. He is also the corresponding author of the study published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.
How could this diagnostic test impact male infertility treatments?
The diagnostic assay holds the potential to significantly transform the approach to treating male infertility, particularly in cases of NOA. It may streamline surgical interventions by enabling better pre-surgical assessments and could lead to more successful outcomes.
What proteins were identified through this research?
The research team identified two specific proteins, AKAP4 and ASPX, that are present in intact, functional sperm cells in men diagnosed with NOA.
What is nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA)?
Nonobstructive azoospermia is a condition characterized by the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to compromised sperm development. It is a leading cause of severe male infertility.
What techniques were employed in the research?
The team used mass spectrometry to analyze semen samples and employed a technique called imaging flow cytometry to locate the proteins AKAP4 and ASPX in specific parts of the sperm cell.
Could this research lead to other medical applications?
Yes, the research indicates the possibility of developing non-hormonal male contraceptives based on a deeper understanding of the proteins AKAP4 and ASPX.
What is the current state of assisted reproductive technologies for treating male infertility?
While assisted reproductive technologies have made significant advancements over the past 50 years, extracting sperm from men with NOA can take up to 10 hours in surgical settings and success rates vary.
How reliable is this diagnostic test?
The details concerning the reliability of this diagnostic test are not explicitly stated in the text, but the identification of specific protein markers suggests a level of precision that could be a promising development in the field.
What are the next steps for this research?
The next steps include investigating the roles of the identified proteins, AKAP4 and ASPX, in sperm functionality, as well as exploring the possibility of developing non-hormonal male contraceptives.
More about Diagnostic Test for Male Infertility
- Molecular & Cellular Proteomics Study
- University of Alberta Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Department
- Overview of Nonobstructive Azoospermia
- Advances in Assisted Reproductive Technologies
- Understanding Mass Spectrometry
- Imaging Flow Cytometry Techniques
6 comments
Imaging flow cytometry and mass spectrometry? Sounds complicated but if it works, that’s all that matters. What a leap in medical science.
andre Drabovich you’re a genius man. I’m interested to see where this leads, especially the non-hormonal contraceptives. Science is awesome!
So one in six couples face this issue? Thats a lot more than i thought. Glad to see progress in the field. Hope it becomes available for all soon.
This is big news, especially for couples struggling with infertility. If this test becomes mainstream, it can really make a diff in how infertility is treated.
Wow, this is a game-changer. Cant believe they can now identify viable sperm in men with NOA. Hats off to Drabovich and his team!
Finally, some serious attention to male infertility! So often it’s the women who have to bear the brunt of treatments.