Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia

PurposeMale infertility, a complex multifactorial condition, is frequently caused by asthenozoospermia (AZS). Although osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated in mammalian reproduction, its specific effects on sperm motility and fertility are not well understood. This study investigates the relationsh...

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Main Authors: Peng Zhang, Yifu Leng, Yuanxin Liu, Jiayi Liu, Chaoran Li, Jie Qin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1487650/full
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author Peng Zhang
Yifu Leng
Yuanxin Liu
Jiayi Liu
Chaoran Li
Jie Qin
author_facet Peng Zhang
Yifu Leng
Yuanxin Liu
Jiayi Liu
Chaoran Li
Jie Qin
author_sort Peng Zhang
collection DOAJ
description PurposeMale infertility, a complex multifactorial condition, is frequently caused by asthenozoospermia (AZS). Although osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated in mammalian reproduction, its specific effects on sperm motility and fertility are not well understood. This study investigates the relationships between seminal plasma OPN levels and sperm parameters in cases of male infertility.MethodsA total of 158 semen samples were analyzed, comprising 78 from infertile men with AZS and 80 from healthy fertile controls. OPN concentrations in seminal plasma were measured using the ELISA method. Additionally, we assessed the in vitro effect of OPN on sperm motility parameters in AZS patients and controls.ResultsSignificantly lower OPN concentrations were observed in the seminal plasma of infertile men with AZS compared to healthy controls (P<0.0001). OPN levels discriminated between the groups, with an area under the curve of 0.793. Additionally, in vitro OPN treatment significantly improved sperm motility in the AZS group, enhancing progressive and total motility, as well as kinematic parameters in a concentration-dependent manner.ConclusionsThis study established a link between OPN level and sperm motility in infertile individuals with AZS, suggesting the potential of OPN as a biomarker for AZS and as a supplement for assisted reproductive techniques.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-d155ea2c148b45e5a735a8af1aa1a65c2025-08-20T02:25:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-05-011610.3389/fendo.2025.14876501487650Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermiaPeng Zhang0Yifu Leng1Yuanxin Liu2Jiayi Liu3Chaoran Li4Jie Qin5Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, ChinaDepartment of Reproduction Medicine Center, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital, Dalian University, Dalian, ChinaDepartment of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, ChinaDepartment of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, ChinaMedical Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, ChinaDepartment of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, ChinaPurposeMale infertility, a complex multifactorial condition, is frequently caused by asthenozoospermia (AZS). Although osteopontin (OPN) has been implicated in mammalian reproduction, its specific effects on sperm motility and fertility are not well understood. This study investigates the relationships between seminal plasma OPN levels and sperm parameters in cases of male infertility.MethodsA total of 158 semen samples were analyzed, comprising 78 from infertile men with AZS and 80 from healthy fertile controls. OPN concentrations in seminal plasma were measured using the ELISA method. Additionally, we assessed the in vitro effect of OPN on sperm motility parameters in AZS patients and controls.ResultsSignificantly lower OPN concentrations were observed in the seminal plasma of infertile men with AZS compared to healthy controls (P<0.0001). OPN levels discriminated between the groups, with an area under the curve of 0.793. Additionally, in vitro OPN treatment significantly improved sperm motility in the AZS group, enhancing progressive and total motility, as well as kinematic parameters in a concentration-dependent manner.ConclusionsThis study established a link between OPN level and sperm motility in infertile individuals with AZS, suggesting the potential of OPN as a biomarker for AZS and as a supplement for assisted reproductive techniques.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1487650/fullmale infertilityasthenozoospermiaosteopontinseminal plasmasperm motility
spellingShingle Peng Zhang
Yifu Leng
Yuanxin Liu
Jiayi Liu
Chaoran Li
Jie Qin
Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia
Frontiers in Endocrinology
male infertility
asthenozoospermia
osteopontin
seminal plasma
sperm motility
title Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia
title_full Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia
title_fullStr Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia
title_full_unstemmed Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia
title_short Associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia
title_sort associations between seminal plasma osteopontin level and sperm motility in infertile men with asthenozoospermia
topic male infertility
asthenozoospermia
osteopontin
seminal plasma
sperm motility
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1487650/full
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