ROLE OF MITOCHONDRIAL DYNAMICS IN MALE INFERTILITY

Öz

Objective: Mitochondria supply most cellular energy, and their dysfunction particularly affects high energy demand tissues, including the reproductive system. This study aims to evaluate the role of mitochondrial dynamics in male infertility and spermatogenesis.

Result and Discussion: Mitochondria are dynamic organelles undergoing continuous fusion, fission, and mitophagy, which are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and function. Fusion and fission regulate mitochondrial morphology and ensure the distribution and integrity of mitochondrial contents, while mitophagy removes damaged mitochondria. Disruption of these processes leads to mitochondrial heterogeneity and impaired cellular function. Spermatogenesis involves significant metabolic transitions and morphological changes in mitochondria, particularly during germ cell differentiation into mature spermatozoa. Sertoli cells provide structural and metabolic support throughout this process. Although key regulators of mitochondrial dynamics have been identified in mammals, their roles in human spermatogenesis remain insufficiently understood. Studies suggest that mitochondrial dynamics are critical for meiosis and germ cell differentiation. These processes may act as regulatory checkpoints in spermatogenesis and contribute to the pathogenesis of male infertility. Altered expression of mitochondrial dynamics-related markers in infertile men may provide insight into disease mechanisms and support the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mitochondrial dynamics
• male infertility
• Sertoli cells

ERKEK İNFERTİLİTESİNDE MİTOKONDRİ DİNAMİĞİNİN ROLÜ

Öz

Giriş: Mitokondriler hücresel enerjinin büyük kısmını sağlar ve bu organellerdeki işlev bozuklukları, özellikle üreme sistemi gibi yüksek enerji gereksinimi olan dokuları etkilemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, mitokondriyal dinamiklerin erkek infertilitesi ve spermatogenezdeki rolünü değerlendirmektir.

Sonuç ve Tartışma: Mitokondriler, hücresel homeostazın ve fonksiyonların sürdürülmesi açısından kritik öneme sahip olan füzyon, fisyon ve mitofaji süreçlerinden sürekli olarak geçen dinamik organellerdir. Füzyon ve fisyon süreçleri mitokondriyal morfolojiyi düzenlerken, mitokondriyal içeriklerin dengeli dağılımını ve bütünlüğünü sağlar; mitofaji ise hasarlı mitokondrilerin seçici olarak uzaklaştırılmasında rol oynar. Bu süreçlerde meydana gelen aksaklıklar, mitokondriyal heterojenitenin artmasına ve hücresel fonksiyonların bozulmasına yol açabilmektedir. Spermatogenez süreci, özellikle germ hücrelerinin olgun spermatozoalara farklılaşması sırasında, belirgin metabolik geçişler ve mitokondriyal morfolojik değişiklikler ile karakterizedir. Bu süreçte Sertoli hücreleri, gelişen germ hücrelerine yapısal ve metabolik destek sağlamaktadır. Memelilerde mitokondriyal dinamikleri düzenleyen temel mekanizmalar büyük ölçüde tanımlanmış olmakla birlikte, bu süreçlerin insan spermatogenezi üzerindeki etkileri henüz tam olarak aydınlatılamamıştır. Çalışmalar, mitokondriyal dinamiklerin mayoz ve germ hücre farklılaşması açısından kritik rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Bu bağlamda, söz konusu süreçlerin spermatogenezde düzenleyici kontrol noktaları olarak işlev görebileceği ve erkek infertilitesinin patogenezine katkıda bulunabileceği düşünülmektedir. Mitokondriyal dinamiklerle ilişkili belirteçlerin infertil erkeklerde değişen ekspresyon profilleri, hastalık mekanizmalarının anlaşılmasına katkı sağlayabilir ve yeni tanısal ile terapötik yaklaşımların geliştirilmesine zemin hazırlayabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mitokondriyal dinamik
• erkek infertilitesi
• Sertoli hücreleri

Kaynakça

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