Abstract
BackgroundIt has been proved that human voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2) plays a significant role in sperm function and male fertility. This study was primarily aimed at exploring whether VDAC2 is a risk factor for idiopathic male infertility.ResultsWe determined a significantly increased risk of idiopathic infertility with abnormal semen parameters in association with the variant rs2804535 and a decreased risk of idiopathic infertility with abnormal semen parameters in association with the variant rs11001334. However, among subjects with normal semen parameters, no significant differences could be found in these genotypes. Moreover, we could not find any differences in the variants rs7896741 and rs1259503, which showed no risk of male infertility, whether normal or abnormal.Materials and methodsAll of the experimental subjects, including 523 men who cannot conceive children and 277 fertile controls, underwent complete historical and physical examinations. Each participant donated an ejaculate for semen analysis and 5 ml of peripheral blood for genomic DNA extraction. A computer-assisted semen analysis system was used for the semen analysis. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified and analyzed using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays.ConclusionsThe result shows that the relationships between different variants in the VDAC2 gene and male fertility differ, and the individuals who carry those variants may have a decreased or increased risk of abnormal semen parameters associated with male infertility.
Highlights
The result shows that the relationships between different variants in the voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2) gene and male fertility differ, and the individuals who carry those variants may have a decreased or increased risk of abnormal semen parameters associated with male infertility
Studies have been conducted on voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) proteins, i.e., channel-forming proteins in the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) because of their protective action in modulating metabolite exchange and the transfer of ATP as well as ions between the cytoplasm and mitochondria [1]
Even though all VDAC isoforms can appear everywhere, the major form is expressed in sperm outer dense fibers (ODFs), an important separate part of the cytoskeleton without a membrane that is involved in flagellar motility [2]; ODFs are mainly focused on the top of the membrane and principal piece of the sperm [3,4,5]
Summary
Studies have been conducted on voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) proteins, i.e., channel-forming proteins in the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) because of their protective action in modulating metabolite exchange and the transfer of ATP as well as ions between the cytoplasm and mitochondria [1]. Even though all VDAC isoforms can appear everywhere, the major form is expressed in sperm outer dense fibers (ODFs), an important separate part of the cytoskeleton without a membrane that is involved in flagellar motility [2]; ODFs are mainly focused on the top of the membrane and principal piece of the sperm [3,4,5]. These proteins play roles as transportation proteins in sperm functions by mediating transmembrane calcium transport [4]. This study was primarily aimed at exploring whether VDAC2 is a risk factor for idiopathic male infertility
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