MP76-02 SPERM PROTAMINE MRNA RATIO AND DNA FRAGMENTATION INDEX REPRESENT RELIABLE CLINICAL BIOMARKERS FOR MEN WITH VARICOCELE AFTER MICROSURGICAL VARICOCELE LIGATION

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Basic Research, Physiology, Pathophysiology1 Apr 2015MP76-02 SPERM PROTAMINE MRNA RATIO AND DNA FRAGMENTATION INDEX REPRESENT RELIABLE CLINICAL BIOMARKERS FOR MEN WITH VARICOCELE AFTER MICROSURGICAL VARICOCELE LIGATION Kai Ni, Klaus Steger, Hao Yang, Hongxiang Wang, Kai Hu, and Bin Chen Kai NiKai Ni More articles by this author , Klaus StegerKlaus Steger More articles by this author , Hao YangHao Yang More articles by this author , Hongxiang WangHongxiang Wang More articles by this author , Kai HuKai Hu More articles by this author , and Bin ChenBin Chen More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2015.02.2787AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Human sperm contains 2 protamines (P1 and P2). The normal P1/P2 mRNA ratio is approximately 0.8 to 1.2 and it is constant in healthy fertile males. In contrast, an aberrant protamine ratio was reported in infertile males. Several studies have demonstrated that patients with varicocele are more likely to have increased sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). It was hypothesized that incomplete protamination could render spermatozoal DNA more vulnerable to damage. Therefore, the present study aims at evaluating sperm P1/P2 mRNA ratio and DFI as possible prognostic biomarkers for subfertile males with varicocele. METHODS After written informed consent, we performed a prospective study on 42 subfertile patients with varicocele (severity was graded from 1 to 3) and 10 normozoospermic healthy donors with proven fertility. All patients and female partners were seen three and six months after varicocelectomy with the evaluations of pregnant situation, gonadal hormones and semen parameters. Real-time qRT-PCR and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) were performed to analyze sperm P1/P2 mRNA ratio and DFI. RESULTS Both P1/P2 mRNA ratio and DFI were significantly higher in the pre-operation group when compared with the control group (P<0.01). After varicocelectomy, in the pregnant group, P1/P2 mRNA ratio recovered to the normal value and DFI was significantly lower than in the pre-operation group (P<0.01). In the non-pregnant group, P1/P2 mRNA ratio and DFI revealed no differences (P>0.05). However, significant differences according to varicocele severity were present before surgery (P1/P2 mRNA ratio, P<0.05; DFI, P<0.01) with the highest values occurring in the grade 3 group. Nevertheless, after surgery, no differences in varicocele severity were visible (P>0.05). Conventional seminal parameters in the post-operation group were all significantly improved when compared with the pre-operation group. Furthermore, the P1/P2 mRNA ratio was strongly related with both preoperative and postoperative sperm concentration (Rs=-0.238, P<0.01), progressive motility (Rs=-0.327, P<0.01), total motility (Rs=-0.206, P<0.05) and DFI (Rs=0.293, P<0.01), except normal morphology (Rs=-0.064, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Sperm P1/P2 mRNA ratio and DFI represent excellent biomarkers for sperm quality. Male infertility due to varicocele may be associated with protamine deficiency and sperm DNA damage. The post-varicocelectomy protamine-1/2 mRNA ratio and DFI are associated with the post-varicocelectomy pregnancy rate. © 2015 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 193Issue 4SApril 2015Page: e984 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2015 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Kai Ni More articles by this author Klaus Steger More articles by this author Hao Yang More articles by this author Hongxiang Wang More articles by this author Kai Hu More articles by this author Bin Chen More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...