Correlative Study between Vitamin D3 Level and Sperm Mitochondrial Activity

Abstract

Background:    Mitochondria play a significant plays a function in sperm metabolism and energy generation. The cellular integrity of sperm evaluated by examination of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), which may be achieved by using fluorescent dyes like JC-1 probe (5,5,6,6-tetrachloro-1,1,3,3-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl carbocyanin iodide. Vitamin D3 (VitD3) increases men sterility can be improved by modifying hormonal balance through genomic as well as non-genomic mechanisms, while semen quality can be improved mostly through non-genomic effects. VitD3 effect a component of sperm motility, capacitation, and acrosome response, have been demonstrated.
Objective:    To study the correlation between red MMP, VitD3 level and sperm motility.
Methods: The current experimental trial study was included 42 semen and blood samples. The sample of the study was subdivided into 4 groups according to sperms motility and VitD3 level the semen samples from 42 subjects of normozoospermic, asthenozoospermia according to World Health Organization (WHO, 2021). MMP Assay Kit (with JC-1) was performed. 
Results: There was a positive significant correlation between serum VitD3 level and red fluorescence MMP (P <0.001). There was no significant correlation between serum VitD3 level and sperm motility percentage (P >0.05).
Conclusion: This study revealed a noticeable association between VitD3 level and sperm mitochondrial MMP assessed by fluorescent staining, which could be applied as a valid approach to evaluate the motility of sperm in Iraqi fertility centers.
Keywords: Infertility, vitamin D3, sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential, MMP Assay Kit (with JC-1).
Citation: Fiza AA, Farhan TM. Correlative Study between vitamin D3 level and sperm mitochondrial activity. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(1): 113-118. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.1.13