New Biomarker-Based Test Offers Hope for Diagnosing Previously Unexplained Male Infertility
Male infertility affects approximately half of all infertility cases, yet a significant portion – nearly 30% – remain unexplained despite standard semen analysis. Now, a new research project, FERTI$CAN, led by researchers at the University of Aveiro in Portugal, is working to identify sperm biomarkers that could provide a more precise diagnosis and pave the way for personalized fertility treatments.
The Limitations of Current Infertility Testing
Currently, male infertility diagnosis relies heavily on basic semen analysis, which assesses sperm concentration, motility (movement), and viability (percentage of live sperm). While these parameters are important, they don’t always reveal the underlying cause of infertility. In many cases, these tests return normal results, leaving couples and clinicians with limited information.
FERTI$CAN: Identifying Molecular Signatures of Fertility
The FERTI$CAN project aims to address this diagnostic gap by identifying a panel of molecular biomarkers – proteins and ribonucleic acids (RNA) – present within sperm. These biomarkers are believed to be directly associated with successful fertilization. Researchers hypothesize that the presence, absence, or levels of these markers can indicate a sperm’s functional quality and its ability to effectively fertilize an egg.
“These markers have extremely specific functions in sperm, and their absence, presence at reduced levels, or excess can compromise essential stages of fertilisation, such as the digestion of the zona pellucida of the oocyte, preventing pregnancy from occurring,” explains Joana Santiago, professor in the Department of Medical Sciences and researcher at the Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED) of the University of Aveiro, and the project coordinator.
How Biomarker Analysis Could Improve Treatment
Identifying these biomarkers could have a significant impact on treatment decisions. If a biomarker essential for fertilization is found to be absent or deficient in a man’s sperm, clinicians could more confidently recommend assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), increasing the likelihood of success.
“If we realize that a protein essential to fertilisation is absent in an individual’s sperm, we can predict that natural pregnancy will be unlikely, allowing us to refer the couple to a technique such as in vitro fertilisation, with a higher probability of success,” adds Santiago.
Research Team and Collaboration
The FERTI$CAN project involves a collaborative effort between researchers Margarida Fardilha, Teresa Herdeiro, doctoral student Pedro Corda, and Master’s student Vanessa Bowen, all from the University of Aveiro. The study similarly benefits from the expertise of professionals at Local Health Units in the Aveiro Region, Gaia, and Espinho.
Current Status and Future Directions
The project is currently in its early stages of development, and further validation is required before clinical implementation. However, the initial findings offer a promising step towards more accurate and personalized approaches to diagnosing and treating male infertility. The research is funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
You can learn more about the FERTI$CAN project in this 90 Seconds of Science podcast episode featuring researcher Joana Santiago.