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

[摘要] 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 nonharmful 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 acrosomeintegrity of sperm. This article reviews the state-of-the-art preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of semen PBMT.

[学科分类] 基础医学

[关键词] Sperm motility;Reactive oxygen species;Photobiomodulation therapy;Cryopreservation;Asthenozoospermia