Changes in seminal plasma metabolites and the vital role of tyrosol in men with asthenozoospermia

Male factor infertility accounts for approximately 50% of all infertility cases. Metabolomics has recently been applied to the assessment of sperm quality and male fertility. However, studies on the biological functions and clinical effects of sperm metabolites in relation to asthenozoospermia (AZS) remain limited. In this study, we analyzed the metabolomic profiles of seminal plasma from 20 men with AZS and compared them with those from 20 men with normal semen parameters (healthy controls) using a standardized untargeted high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach. Metabolite levels differed significantly between the AZS and healthy control groups. A total of 177 potential biomarkers and multiple metabolic pathways were identified in men with AZS. Specifically, tyrosol levels were significantly reduced in the AZS group. Preincubation with tyrosol significantly increased the percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility in men with AZS. Moreover, tyrosol supplementation improved progressive motility, DNA integrity, and acrosomal integrity in cryopreserved sperm samples from these individuals, as reflected by post-thaw sperm parameters. In conclusion, this study reveals the distinctive metabolic characteristics of seminal plasma and the dysregulation of the metabolite tyrosol, which is associated with AZS. Tyrosol notably enhanced sperm performance, suggesting its potential integration into clinical strategies for AZS management and fertility preservation.