Sperm tRNA-derived fragments expression is potentially linked to abstinence-related improvement of sperm quality.

Xi-Ren JI; Rui-Jun WANG; Zeng-Hui HUANG; Hui-Lan WU; Xiu-Hai HUANG; Hao BO; Ge LIN; Wen-Bing ZHU; Chuan HUANG

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Sperm tRNA-derived fragments expression is potentially linked to abstinence-related improvement of sperm quality.

Author: Xi-Ren JI ¹ ; Rui-Jun WANG ¹ ; Zeng-Hui HUANG ² ; Hui-Lan WU ² ; Xiu-Hai HUANG ² ; Hao BO ² ; Ge LIN ¹ ; Wen-Bing ZHU ¹ ; Chuan HUANG ¹
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1. NHC Key Laboratory of Human Stem Cell and Reproductive Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 41008, China.
2. Clinical Research Center for Reproduction and Genetics in Hunan Province, Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha 41008, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: DNA fragmentation index; MAPK pathway; assisted reproductive technologies; short abstinence; sperm motility; transfer RNA-derived fragment
MeSH: Male; Humans; Spermatozoa/metabolism*; RNA, Transfer/genetics*; Sperm Motility/genetics*; Adult; Semen Analysis; Sexual Abstinence/physiology*; Sperm Count; DNA Fragmentation
From: Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(5):638-645
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Recent studies have shown that shorter periods of ejaculatory abstinence may enhance certain sperm parameters, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these improvements are still unclear. This study explored whether reduced abstinence periods could improve semen quality, particularly for use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). We analyzed semen samples from men with normal sperm counts ( n = 101) and those with low sperm motility or concentration ( n = 53) after 3-7 days of abstinence and then after 1-3 h of abstinence, obtained from the Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya (Changsha, China). Physiological and biochemical sperm parameters were evaluated, and the dynamics of transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragments (tRFs) were analyzed using deep RNA sequencing in five consecutive samples from men with normal sperm counts. Our results revealed significant improvement in sperm motility and a decrease in the DNA fragmentation index after the 1- to 3-h abstinence period. Additionally, we identified 245 differentially expressed tRFs, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was the most enriched. Further investigations showed significant changes in tRF-Lys-TTT and its target gene mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 ( MAP2K2 ), which indicates a role of tRFs in improving sperm function. These findings provide new insights into how shorter abstinence periods influence sperm quality and suggest that tRFs may serve as biomarkers for male fertility. This research highlights the potential for optimizing ART protocols and improving reproductive outcomes through molecular approaches that target sperm function.