Metabolomics is the systematic study of metabolites as small-molecule
biomarkers that represent the functional phenotype in a cell, tissue or organism. Detection of crucial disturbances in the concentration of metabolites by metabolomic profiling of key
biomarkers can be beneficial in the management of various medical conditions, including male-factor
infertility. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential role of this rapid, noninvasive analysis in the investigation of infertile men. Differences in the concentration of oxidative stress
biomarkers (-CH, -NH, -
OH and ROH) have been found to be uniquely associated with semen plasma of healthy men compared with patients with idiopathic
infertility,
varicocele and
vasectomy reversal. Furthermore, NMR spectra have shown significant differences in
citrate,
lactate,
glycerylphosphorylcholine and
glycerylphosphorylethanolamine among semen samples of men with spermatogenesis failure, obstructive
azoospermia,
oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and healthy donors. Evidence has also shown the value of (31)P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy in differentiating patients with testicular failure and ductal obstruction by utilizing phosphomonoester and beta-
adenosine triphosphate as
biomarkers. In addition, metabolomics has shown promise in assisted reproductive techniques. Recent studies involving spectroscopic measurements of follicular fluid and embryo
culture media have revealed an association between
biomarkers of oxidative stress and pregnancy outcome of oocytes and embryos.