Therapeutics · Emerging Therapies
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.
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Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
Effects of photobiomodulation therapy on human sperm function
Saylan A et al., 2023 · Revista internacional de andrologia
Sperm motility is a crucial factor in male infertility and it depends on mitochondrial tail movements. Photobiomodulation light therapy allows the cells to produce their energy through activation of the mitochondria. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of photobiomodulation on sperm motility in astenozoospermic individuals. Following semen analyses of 20 astenozoospermic individuals, collected semen samples were centrifuged. Pellet was obtained and homogenized through mixing with culture media in 1:1 ratio. Each semen samples were divided into 3 groups. In the first group, control samples were not exposed to laser irradiation. The Group 2 and Group 3 were exposed to 650nm wavelength of photobiomodulation from 10cm distance in dark environment via a 36cm2 aperture sizer with 200mW output power for 30 and 60min duration, respectively. Sperm motilities were evaluated and chromatin condensation of sperms was determined. Sperm motilities were significantly increased in photobiomodulation groups compared with the controls. Sperm motilities tended to be different between the 30 and 60min red light exposure groups; however, it was not statistically significant. When the motility grades were compared, no significant difference was observed in non-progressive motility sperms. While immotile sperms decreased significantly in the photobiomodulation groups compared to the control group, progressive sperms increased. The results of the present study demonstrated that the photobiomodulation is an efficient method to increase the sperm motility of astenozoospermic individuals independent of the duration of exposure.
Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
Therapeutic Effects of Low-Level Laser on Male Infertility: A Systematic Review
Eghbaldoost A et al., 2023 · Journal of lasers in medical sciences
The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of photobiomodulation (PBM) in the treatment of male infertility. We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and the reference sections of relevant papers published from January 1, 2000 to September 23, 2022. We retrieved all publications related to the impact of PBM on male infertility. After reviewing the titles, abstracts, and full texts, we included fifteen papers in the research. The studies involved 477 semen samples (in vitro studies) and 70 male participants (randomized clinical trials). All 14 in vitro studies that evaluated effectiveness reported that PBM was successful in increasing the proportion of progressive sperms in semen samples. Various methods were used to evaluate the safety. One study with a sample size of 58 concluded that PBM was not a safe treatment, whereas the other ten studies confirmed its safety. Only one clinical trial evaluated the effect of laser acupuncture on male infertility and found improvements in sperm progressive motility without any serious adverse effects. All 15 studies evaluating effectiveness reported that the low-level laser was effective for increasing the proportion of progressive sperm in semen samples and that it was safe to use. However, due to the heterogeneity of population characteristics, source characteristics, duration of exposure, sample size, and instruments for measuring safety and efficacy, we cannot conclude that the positive results obtained from the reviewed studies are solely attributable to the low-level laser on the sperm samples.
Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
The Effect of Photobiomodulation on Sperm Parameters and Apoptosis in an Experimental Testicular Torsion Model
Torabi R et al., 2025 · Journal of lasers in medical sciences
As a serious urological emergency, testicular torsion (TT) results in ischemia and oxidative stress, negatively impacting sperm function and potentially causing persistent infertility. This research seeks to evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy as a viable therapeutic intervention for the condition of testicular torsion. Male NMRI mice (n=24) were classified into four distinct experimental groups: I) Control, II) laser (L), III) Torsion (T), IV) Torsion accompanied by laser intervention (T&L). We induced testicular torsion by rotating both testes 720° in a counterclockwise direction, and then, after 2 hours, detorsion was performed. In the T&L group, following the torsion induction, the mice's testes underwent laser irradiation at a wavelength of 808 nm (0.03 J/cm2) for 21 days. Post-sacrifice dissection of the testes and epididymis was performed for additional examination. Sperm motility was significantly higher in the laser-treated group relative to the T group. Furthermore, microscopic evaluation indicated that the T&L group exhibited greater spermatogonia and Leydig cell counts, as well as enlarged seminiferous tubule diameter and thicker epithelium compared to the T group. On the basis of the present findings, laser therapy can mitigate complications from testicular torsion and improve sperm motility and testicular histopathology.
Male Factor Treatment · Medical Management
The power of 810 nm near-infrared photobiomodulation therapy for human asthenozoospermia
Stigliani S et al., 2024 · Scientific reports
Sperm motility is a crucial factor in male fertility. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been reported to increase sperm motility, but a consistent approach suitable for identifying standardizable protocols is lacking. We collected asthenozoospermic (n = 70) and normozoospermic (n = 20) semen. The asthenozoospermic samples were irradiated with an 810 nm diode laser, in continuous wave mode, at 0.25 W, 0.5 W, 1 W and 2 W for 60 s on a circular area of 1 cm2 through a novel handpiece with an innovative flat-top profile. Sperm motility was assessed immediately, after 30 and 60 min. A sample size calculator, unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD tests were used for statistics. One and 2 W were the most effective outputs in increasing progressive motility compared to control (p < 0.001). The maximum effect was immediately after 1 W-PBM (p < 0.001) and decreased after 60 min (p < 0.001). Time physiologically decreased vitality (p < 0.001), but less in the 1 W-PBM samples (p < 0.05). 1 W-PBM did not affect chromatin condensation. Asthenozoospermic samples displayed an impairment of 80% in oxygen consumption and ATP production and a slight inefficiency of oxidative phosphorylation compared to normozoospermic samples (p < 0.001). 1 W-PBM partially restored the functionality of aerobic metabolism (p < 0.001) by recovery of oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. PBM did not affect lactate dehydrogenase (glycolysis pathway). No irradiated samples increased accumulated malondialdehyde, a marker of lipidic peroxidation. In conclusion, PBM improves progressive motility in asthenozoospermia through increased mitochondrial energetic metabolism without harmful oxidative stress.
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