Molecular Interactions Associated with Oxidative Stress-Mediated Male Infertility: Sperm and Seminal Plasma Proteomics

Abstract

Male factor issues are responsible for 50% of couples infertility. Seminal oxidative stress is one of the major factors that affect the normal physiological aspects of sperm function such as motility and progression, hyperactivation, capacitation, acrosome reaction and zona-pellucida penetration prior to fertilization. In recent times, high-throughput proteomic platforms are used to identify the proteins associated with these aspects of sperm function as associated with oxidative stress. In this review, we have provided a workflow that includes an overview of advanced proteomic techniques and bioinformatic tools used to interpret proteomic results. Furthermore, we have highlighted proteins associated with dysregulated molecular pathways in sperm and seminal plasma due to oxidative stress. We have also described the molecular interactions between proteins associated with oxidative stress and their potential role in male infertility.