Evaluation of Known Markers of Ferroptosis in Semen of Patients with Different Reproductive Pathologies and Fertile Men

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the role of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, in male infertility. The motivation behind this research stems from the increasing recognition of oxidative stress and iron metabolism dysregulation as critical factors in male reproductive health. In this study, 28 infertile patients (grouped by the presence of urogenital infections or varicocele) and 19 fertile men were selected. Spermiograms were performed by light microscopy (WHO, 2021). Testosterone, ferritin, transferrin-bound iron, transferrin, and F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) were detected in seminal plasma. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and acyl coenzyme A synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) were also assessed in sperm cells using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). All the variables were correlated (statistically significant Spearman’s rank correlations) in the whole population, and then the comparison between variables of the different groups of men were carried out. Seminal ferritin and transferrin positively correlated with seminal F2-IsoPs, which had positive correlations with ACSL4 detected in sperm cells. Ferritin and ACSL4 negatively correlated with the seminal parameters. No correlation was detected for GPX4. Comparing the variables in the three examined groups, elevated levels of ACSL4 were observed in infertile patients with urogenital infections and varicocele; GPX4 levels were similar in the three groups. These results suggested a mechanism of ferroptosis, identified by increased ACSL4 levels and the occurrence of lipid peroxidation. Such events appear to be GPX4-independent in reproductive pathologies such as varicocele and urogenital infections.

Keywords

• acyl coenzyme A synthetase long chain family member 4
• ferroptosis
• F₂-isoprostanes
• glutathione peroxidase 4
• human semen
• urogenital infections