Alteration in CatSper1 and 2 genes expression, sperm parameters and testis histology in varicocelized rats

Maryam Zohour Soleimani,Farideh Jalali Mashayekhi,Morteza Mousavi Hasanzade,Maryam Baazm

doi:10.29252/ijrm.16.3.183

Maryam Zohour Soleimani, Farideh Jalali Mashayekhi + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.29252/ijrm.16.3.183

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Abstract

CatSper gene, a member of cation channel sperm family, has an essential role in sperm motility and male fertility. Following varicocele, sperm parameters especially sperm movement decreases. For this reason, we hypothesized that CatSper gene expression might be reduced after varicocele induction in an animal model. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes, sperm parameters and testis histology following varicocele induction. A total of 30 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three following groups (n=10/ each): control, sham, and varicocele group. Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The epididymal sperm parameters, CatSper1 and 2 genes expression, and testes histology were studied two months after varicocele induction. Our results revealed that motility (32.73±16.14%), morphology (48.80±17%) and viability (31.23±9.82%) of sperms significantly reduced following varicocele induction. In addition, we showed a significant decrease in the number of spermatogonia (43.63±5.31) and seminiferous tubules diameters (190.51±19.23 mm) in experimental varicocele rats. The level of CatSper1 and 2 genes expression evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction was significantly downregulated 2 months after varicocele induction. Our data indicated that experimental varicocele has deleterious effects on sperm parameters, testis structure as well as the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes.

Highlights

Varicocele is the most common surgical treatable cause of male infertility [1]
The mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of varicocele is unclear; but various hypotheses suggested by previous researchers including increasing in the testicular temperature, venous stasis, accumulation of CO2, nitric oxide and reactive oxygen spices (ROS), autoimmunity, and retrograde flow of toxic metabolite from adrenal gland [6,7,8,9]
Varicocele changed sperm parameters According to our results, in the varicocele group the sperm count was reduced (6.12×106 ±3.41) though this decrease was not statistically significant in comparision to the other groups (p=0.06) (Figure-1A)

Summary

Introduction

Varicocele is the most common surgical treatable cause of male infertility [1]. The incidence of varicocele is about 15% of the total population of men [2]. The mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of varicocele is unclear; but various hypotheses suggested by previous researchers including increasing in the testicular temperature, venous stasis, accumulation of CO2, nitric oxide and reactive oxygen spices (ROS), autoimmunity, and retrograde flow of toxic metabolite from adrenal gland [6,7,8,9] These pathological events impair normal spermatogenesis, decrease semen quality and could affect sperm parameters such as sperm count, motility and morphology [10, 11]. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes, sperm parameters and testis histology following varicocele induction. Conclusion: Our data indicated that experimental varicocele has deleterious effects on sperm parameters, testis structure as well as the expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes

Objectives

Results

Conclusion