Insights and clinical potential of proteomics in understanding spermatogenesis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: With the worldwide decline on male fertility potential, the importance of the insight of the spermatogenic process has been increasing. In recent years, proteomic methodologies have been applied to seminal fluid of infertile men to search for infertility potential biomarkers. However, to understand the spermatogenic event and to search for treatment to spermatogenic impairment, comparative analysis of testicular proteomics is considered a powerful methodology.

Areas covered: Herein, we present a critical overview of the studies addressing proteomic alterations in the development of spermatogenesis during puberty, as well as during the different phases of the spermatogenic event. The comparative studies of the proteomic testicular profile of men with and without spermatogenic impairment are also discussed and key proteins and pathways involved highlighted.

Expert opinion: The usage of whole human testicular tissue with its heterogeneous cellular composition makes proteome data interpretation particularly challenging. This may be minimized by controlled experiments involving the collection of testicular tissue and sperm from the same individuals, integrated in a clinically characterized cohort of healthy and infertile men. The analysis of specific subcellular proteomes can add more information to the proteomic puzzle, opening new treatment possibilities for infertile/subfertile men.

KEYWORDS:

• Azoospermia
• biomarkers
• testicular Proteome
• sertoli-only Syndrome
• spermatogenesis
• spermatogenic Maturation Arrest

Article highlights

• Proteome changes during testis maturation can highlight key spermatogenic pathways.

• Proteome fluidity throughout the spermatogenic process evidence critical metabolic mechanisms.

• Comparative testicular proteomic studies highlight major spermatogenic pathways.

• Sertoli cell-only syndrome and spermatogenic maturation arrest have different downregulated metabolic pathways.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants, or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Supplementary material

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Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by the Fundação da Ciência e Tecnologia; and by the Anatomy Department - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine - University of Porto. Chemistry Department - University of Aveiro.