# The role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in sperm morphogenesis and male fertility

> **NIH NIH F32** · EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $29,172

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 (ω-3) dietary-derived essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)
present in particularly high levels in testes. DHA is a critical component of mitochondrial and cellular membranes
that regulates membrane fluidity, susceptibility to oxidative stress, and membrane-protein interactions. Multiple
studies using mouse models or analyzing human populations have clearly shown that DHA deficiency negatively
impacts spermatogenesis to cause male infertility, and that supplementation with DHA improves semen quality
and fertility. Unfortunately, Western diets are remarkably deficient in w-3 fatty acids, and therefore a majority of
the world’s population is at risk for DHA-deficiency. Despite these clearly established links between DHA and
male fertility, DHA’s role and mechanism of action in spermatogenic cells remain unknown. To address this, the
Geyer lab (experts in spermatogenesis) has partnered with the Ellis lab (experts in lipid metabolism), and this
unique partnership has provided the applicant (Dr. Ben Hale) with formal training in both disciplines. This training
will enable Dr. Hale to pursue the long-term goals to define the roles of PUFAs in germ cell metabolism and
sperm formation and function. The proposed project herein is an outgrowth of work from our group characterizing
a new diet-independent genetic mouse model of DHA deficiency by whole-body deletion of ‘acyl-CoA synthetase
6’ (Acsl6), which encodes an enzyme essential for cellular DHA metabolism. We recently reported whole-body
Acsl6 knockout (KO) mice have significantly reduced testicular DHA levels, multiple defects in spermatogenesis,
and are severely subfertile. These Acsl6 KO mice are the ideal tool to define the specific mechanisms underlying
DHA function in spermatogenesis. We will directly correlate defects in sperm function and morphogenesis to
changes in germ cell lipid distribution. We will test the central hypothesis that ACSL6 is required to incorporate
DHA into germ cell lipid membranes to facilitate sperm morphogenesis. This hypothesis will be tested in the
following Aims: 1) Determine how Acsl6 KO sperm are defective, and 2) determine the roles of DHA during
spermatogenesis. The completion of these Aims will provide an unprecedented understanding of how
incorporation of DHA into the germ cell facilitates sperm morphogenesis and function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10228609
- **Project number:** 5F32HD103333-02
- **Recipient organization:** EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Benjamin Joseph Hale
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $29,172
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-16 → 2022-01-07

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10228609

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10228609, The role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in sperm morphogenesis and male fertility (5F32HD103333-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10228609. Licensed CC0.

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