Development of reproductive technology against aging-related infertility

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K08239
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biological pharmacy
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Takeo Toru 熊本大学, 生命資源研究・支援センター, 講師 (10517014)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 異島 優 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(薬学域), 准教授 (00457590)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 不妊症 / 生殖工学技術 / 受精 / 精子 / 卵子 / 受精能獲得 / 生体硫黄 / 加齢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Sulfur-containing compounds are involved in maintenance of redox homeostasis and regulation of biological functions. However, the role of the sulfur-containing compounds in reproduction is still unknown. Previously, we have shown that various sulfur-containing compounds are useful for improving fertility, and find the importance of biological sulfur in reproduction. Therefore, in this study, we examined the function of membrane protein with thiol groups in sperm. First, we investigated the effect of oxidation of thiol groups on the fertilization ability of sperm. Oxidation of thiol groups altered the sperm motility pattern and reduced the fertility. Furthermore, sperm in which thiols were oxidized had impaired calcium homeostasis and suppressed capacitation. In summary, the present findings indicate that oxidation of thiols in sperm protein is involved in the decrease in fertility of sperm, and the evaluation of thiol groups in sperm would be useful for diagnosis of male infertility.

Free Research Field

薬学、生殖生物学、実験動物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、精子中チオールの酸化還元状態が受精能に関与することを明らかにし、精子に起因する不妊症の解明や予防・診断・および治療法の開発が期待できる。