The incorporation of mitochondria in the eukaryotic cell is one of the most enigmatic events in the course of evolution. This important organelle was thought to be only the powerhouse of the cell, but was later learnt to perform many other indispensable functions in the cell. Two major contributions of mitochondria in spermatogenesis concern energy production and apoptosis. Apart from this, mitochondria also participate in a number of other processes affecting spermatogenesis and fertility. Mitochondria in sperm are arranged in the periphery of the tail microtubules to serve to energy demand for motility. Apart from this, the role of mitochondria in germ cell proliferation, mitotic regulation, and the elimination of germ cells by apoptosis are now well recognized. Eventually, mutations in the mitochondrial genome have been reported in male infertility, particularly in sluggish sperm (asthenozoospermia); however, heteroplasmy in the mtDNA and a complex interplay between the nucleus and mitochondria affect their penetrance. In this article, we have provided an update on the role of mitochondria in various events of spermatogenesis and male fertility and on the correlation of mitochondrial DNA mutations with male infertility.

中文翻译：

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线粒体、精子发生和男性不育——更新

真核细胞中线粒体的结合是进化过程中最神秘的事件之一。这个重要的细胞器被认为只是细胞的动力源，但后来被发现在细胞中执行许多其他不可或缺的功能。线粒体在精子发生中的两个主要贡献与能量产生和细胞凋亡有关。除此之外，线粒体还参与影响精子发生和生育能力的许多其他过程。精子中的线粒体排列在尾部微管的外围，以满足运动所需的能量。除此之外，线粒体在生殖细胞增殖、有丝分裂调节和通过细胞凋亡消除生殖细胞中的作用现已得到广泛认可。最终，据报道，男性不育症中存在线粒体基因组突变，特别是在精子迟缓（弱精子症）中；然而，mtDNA 中的异质性以及细胞核和线粒体之间复杂的相互作用会影响它们的外显率。在本文中，我们提供了有关线粒体在精子发生和男性生育能力的各种事件中的作用以及线粒体 DNA 突变与男性不育症的相关性的最新信息。