Activated-farnesoid X receptor (FXR) expressed in human sperm alters its fertilising ability

In conclusion, in this study, we demonstrated for the first time a novel target for FXR and that the activated receptor alters the acquisition of sperm fertilising ability. We showed that sperm itself express the FXR and it is responsive to specific ligands of the receptor; therefore, bile acids influence this cell both in male and in female genital tracts. It might be hypothesized that bile acid levels could be involved in infertility with idiopathic origin as these compounds are not systematically measured in men undergoing medically assisted procreation.

Source: Reproduction - August 17, 2018 Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Malivindi, R., Santoro, M., De Rose, D., Panza, S., Gervasi, S., Rago, V., Aquila, S. Tags: Research Source Type: research