Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Associations Between Mitochondrial Content, Telomere Length, and mtDNA to nDNA Ratio in Human Sperm: Relevance to Reproductive Health

Version 1 : Received: 27 November 2023 / Approved: 28 November 2023 / Online: 28 November 2023 (07:56:30 CET)

How to cite: Moustakli, E.; Zikopoulos, A.; Skentou, C.; Stavros, S.; Kolibianakis, E. M.; Drakakis, P.; Chalitsios, C. V.; Georgiou, I.; Zachariou, A. Associations Between Mitochondrial Content, Telomere Length, and mtDNA to nDNA Ratio in Human Sperm: Relevance to Reproductive Health. Preprints 2023, 2023111783. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.1783.v1 Moustakli, E.; Zikopoulos, A.; Skentou, C.; Stavros, S.; Kolibianakis, E. M.; Drakakis, P.; Chalitsios, C. V.; Georgiou, I.; Zachariou, A. Associations Between Mitochondrial Content, Telomere Length, and mtDNA to nDNA Ratio in Human Sperm: Relevance to Reproductive Health. Preprints 2023, 2023111783. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202311.1783.v1

Abstract

Abstract: Important variables that affect the quality and functionality of sperm and may affect male reproductive health and fertility include telomere length, mitochondrial content, and the ratio of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to nuclear DNA (nDNA). The purpose of this study was to look at the connections between these three sperm characteristics and how they might affect a woman's ability to conceive. Methods: Data were collected from 82 men who underwent IVF/ICSI at the University Hospital of Ioannina's IVF Unit in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. Evaluations included sperm morphology, sperm count, sperm motility, and participant history. To address this, males of reproductive age who were categorized into three body mass index (ΒΜΙ) groups—normal, overweight, and obese—had their sperm samples tested. Results: Our findings indicate a negative correlation between relative telomere length and ΒΜΙ for both the normal and overweight groups. Conversely, a positive correlation was observed for the obese group, indicating a possible relationship between mitochondrial health and telomere maintenance. The results were statistically significant only for the obese group. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between telomere length and mitochondrial content in both the normal and overweight groups, indicating that a lower mitochondrial content may be linked to longer telomeres. Nonetheless, there was a positive correlation for the group that was obese. For all three groups, the data did not reach statistical significance. Given that mitochondrial con-centration and telomere length are both markers of cellular integrity and health, these correla-tions may have an impact on the quality of sperm. Furthermore, the relative telomere length of the normal and overweight groups had a negative correlation with the ratio of mtDNA to nDNA, though the obese group showed a positive correlation. The findings were not statistical-ly significant in any of the groups under investigation. According to this, male fertility may be negatively impacted by an imbalance in the copy number of the mitochondrial genome com-pared to the nuclear DNA in sperm. Conclusions: Our research, in essence, emphasizes the interaction among human sperm telo-mere length, mitochondrial concentration, and the mtDNA to nDNA ratio. Gaining knowledge of these correlations could help explain the reasons behind male infertility and open up new treatment options for reproductive health problems. The functional importance of these correla-tions and possible uses in therapeutic contexts require more investigation.

Keywords

telomere length; mitochondria; oxidation; body mass index; IVF/ICSI; male infertility

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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