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Therapeutics Emerging Therapies

Preclinical and Clinical Applications of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Sperm Motility: A Narrative Review

Poorhassan M, Gholaminejhad M, Ahmadi H, Mehboudi L, Chahar Kameh M, Pirani M, Hassanzadeh G

Journal of lasers in medical sciences, 2022
DOI 10.34172/jlms.2022.75 PMID 37041786 PMC PMC10082901

RRM Academy Synopsis

Red and near-infrared light raised sperm motility in lab studies

A 2022 narrative review of lab and animal studies reports that red and near-infrared light raised sperm motility in many of the studies reviewed. These included samples from men with low motility and thawed frozen sperm. The authors write that the overall results suggest modest light levels have stimulatory effects without significant DNA damage.

Key Findings

  • The authors cite findings that about 30% to 80% of male infertility cases relate to the adverse effects of oxidative stress.
  • The review reports that reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels are raised in 40% of infertile men's semen samples.
  • The authors summarize that photobiomodulation, regardless of wavelength, increases the motility of sperm in asthenozoospermia (low sperm motility).
  • One study the authors cite found that light applied before freezing and thawing helped protect human sperm against lipid peroxidation (oxidative damage to cell membranes) and supported progressive motility after thawing.
  • In a mouse model of scrotal heat stress, light applied to each testis improved sperm motility and reduced the oligospermia (low sperm count) the heat caused.

Interpretation

The paper is a narrative review. The authors summarize studies of photobiomodulation therapy and sperm. The evidence comes from semen samples exposed to light in the lab, plus animal sperm from bulls, rams, rabbits, dogs and mice. The outcomes are motility, viability, DNA integrity and acrosome integrity. The authors name getting enough light into sperm as the main problem so far.

RRM Context

Male factor contributes to infertility in many couples. Restorative reproductive medicine evaluates both partners. The review lists sources of oxidative stress in semen: varicocele, white blood cells, smoking, alcohol, toxins, radiation and long heat exposure. A root-cause evaluation asks which of these is present.

Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.

Abstract

About 50% of infertility problems are related to male factors and reduced sperm motility. The important factor that affects the structure and function of sperm is reactive oxygen species (ROS), and over-concentration of ROS reduces the quality and motility of sperm. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using red to near-infrared (NIR) light is useful in oxidative stress restoration. It plays a therapeutic role in disorders such as asthenospermia, oligospermia cases, and cryopreserved sperm. It also enhances the metabolic capacity of sperm and increases the low-level and non-harmful intracellular content of Ca2+, nitric oxide (NO), and ROS in the stressed cells. Likewise, it modulates survival intracellular pathways and maintains the motility, viability, DNA, and acrosome integrity of sperm. This article reviews the state-of-the-art preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of semen PBMT.

Topics

Related research

Therapeutics › Emerging Therapies › Light Therapy · Male Fertility › Male Factor Treatment › Medical Management
Mahnaz Poorhassan, Morteza Gholaminejhad, Houssein Ahmadi, Leila Mehboudi, Mahdis Chahar Kameh, Maryam Pirani, Gholamreza Hassanzadeh
M Poorhassan, M Gholaminejhad, H Ahmadi, L Mehboudi, M Kameh, M Pirani, G Hassanzadeh
PMID 37041786 37041786 DOI 10.34172/jlms.2022.75 10.34172/jlms.2022.75 Poorhassan et al. 2022, Poorhassan 2022

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This site is an educational resource and does not provide medical advice. Inclusion of a study does not imply endorsement of its findings. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

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