Yeste Marc, Castillo-Martín Miriam, Bonet Sergi, Rodríguez-Gil Joan E
Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, E-17003 Girona, Spain.
Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, E-17003 Girona, Spain.
Anim Reprod Sci. 2018 Jul;194:19-32. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.02.004. Epub 2018 Feb 9.
Light irradiation has been demonstrated to exert positive effects on gametes, and particularly on sperm. In effect, a high number of studies conducted in several species, including humans, mice, pigs, cattle and sheep, and using different light sources (such as lasers and light-emitting diodes) have demonstrated that photo-stimulation increases sperm motility. In addition, other works have shown that sperm fertilizing ability both in vitro and in vivo can be increased following light irradiation; there are also some evidences pointing out to an extend of lifespan of preserved semen. Notwithstanding, no study has reported a detrimental effect of visible light on DNA integrity. The mechanisms through which light exerts its effects are not completely elucidated, but mounting evidence gives cell photosensitizers, especially those present in the mitochondria, a vital role. Stimulating these molecules turns into an increase in the production of ATP and Ca influx, which contributes to explain the effects of light upon spermatozoa. Additionally, the presence of opsins in spermatozoa as well as the potential influence of light on the conformation of other proteins may also be involved in the sperm response to light. However, there are still a significant number of points that need to be addressed and their elucidation may contribute to increase the utilization of light irradiation for sperm preservation and ART.
光照射已被证明对配子，尤其是精子有积极影响。实际上，在包括人类、小鼠、猪、牛和羊在内的多个物种中进行的大量研究，以及使用不同光源（如激光和发光二极管）的研究都表明，光刺激可提高精子活力。此外，其他研究表明，光照射后，精子在体外和体内的受精能力均可提高；也有一些证据表明保存精液的寿命会延长。尽管如此，尚无研究报道可见光对DNA完整性有有害影响。光发挥其作用的机制尚未完全阐明，但越来越多的证据表明细胞光敏剂，尤其是线粒体中的光敏剂，起着至关重要的作用。刺激这些分子会导致ATP产量增加和钙离子内流，这有助于解释光对精子的影响。此外，精子中视蛋白的存在以及光对其他蛋白质构象的潜在影响也可能参与精子对光的反应。然而，仍有大量问题需要解决，对这些问题的阐明可能有助于提高光照射在精子保存和辅助生殖技术中的应用。
