Enzymes play an important role in the body and account for the speed at which cellular reactions take place. According to Dr. Christopher P. Austin, director of the National Institutes of Health Chemical Genomics Center, a cell is capable of producing thousands of enzymes, with each of them having a particular role and design to carry out the desired chemical reaction; thus, there are specific enzymes that play a role in male fertility.
Types
Although there are thousands of enzymes, most fall into three main categories. The first is food enzymes, which come from the food we eat. These usually only help in the digestion of a specific food. The second category is digestive enzymes. These help break down the nutrients in most foods. The third category is metabolic enzymes, which are most important and provide energy to the cells so they can do what is needed. Specific metabolic enzymes are responsible for male fertility.
Male Fertility
Male fertility is the ability of the male sperm to impregnate the female egg. With most individuals, this process is natural, and no problems are presented. However, there are some men who are unable to impregnate a women, and this is known as male infertility. Although there are many reasons why a man might become infertile, enzymes or lack of enzymes can factor into the cause.
Male Infertility
If enzymes are not the cause of male infertility, other problems might be at work. These include a low sperm count, inadequate delivery of the sperm, stress and even obesity. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are some sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonorrhea that can cause infections and scarring, which might result in male infertility.
Study
In recent studies, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has determined that an enzyme in the tail of the mail sperm is important for the sperm to move. When studies on mice were done, this enzyme---called GAPDS---appeared to be required for the sperm to move forward.
Significance
If the enzyme that contributes to movement can be removed from the male sperm, it could be a new means of contraception. On the other hand, if it can be found that a male sperm is lacking this enzyme and the individual is infertile, then introducing this enzyme into the sperm could help the sperm's mobility and allow it to impregnate the female egg.
References
- NICHD: Enzyme Essential To Sperm Movement Provides Target for New Contraceptive Approach
- University of Michigan Health System: Male Infertility
- National Human Genome Research Institute: Talking Glossary "Enzyme"
- Types of Enymes: Functions of the Different Types of Enzymes
- Mayo Clinic: Infertility Causes
