Asthenozoospermic Patients Research Articles

Association of polymorphisms in PATE1 gene with idiopathic asthenozoospermia in Sichuan, China

PurposeIdiopathic Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is a common symptom of male infertility described as reduced forward motility or absence of sperm motility. The PATE1 is generally expressed in male genital tract and related to sperm development, maturation and fertilization. However, the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PATE1 gene which contribute to AZS were still unknown. For this reason, the possible association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms of the PATE1 gene and idiopathic asthenozoospermia was investigated in this research. Methods108 idiopathic asthenozoospermia were screened by karyotype analysis, detection of Y microdeletions and mutations in 5 other genes from 140 clinical AZS. The sequence analyses of the PATE1 gene were conducted in 108 idiopathic asthenozoospermia and 106 fertile men with normospermic parameters in Sichuan, China. ResultsIn this study, a total 108 patients without chromosomal abnormalities, Y microdeletions and selected genes mutation were confirmed. The 1423G (odds ratio [OR] 1.939, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.320–2.848, P=0.001) was found to be increased significantly in idiopathic asthenozoospermic patients compared with their fertile counterparts. This mutation substitutes a highly conserved glutamic to arginine at the position of the 47th amino acid which was shown to be located on the flank of the pleated sheet domain in PATE1 protein by the 3D model given by the Protein Model Portal (PMP). Moreover, PolyPhen-2 analysis predicted that this variant was “probably damaging”. ConclusionsThese results suggested that PATE1 variant (A1423G) was probably one of the high risk genetic factors for idiopathic asthenozoospermia among males in Sichuan, China.

In vitro effects of zinc, D-aspartic acid, and coenzyme-Q10 on sperm function.

Reactive oxygen species favor reproductive processes at low concentrations, but damage spermatozoa and decrease their fertilizing capacity at high concentrations. During infection and/or inflammation of the accessory sex glands reactive oxygen species overproduction may occur which, in turn, may negatively impact on sperm motility, sperm DNA fragmentation, and lipid peroxidation. A number of nutraceutical formulations containing antioxidant molecules have been developed to counteract the deleterious effects of the oxidative stress. A recent formulation containing zinc, D-aspartic acid, and coenzyme-Q10 is present in the pharmaceutical market. Based on these premises, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of this combination on spermatozoa in vitro. The study was conducted on 24 men (32.2 ± 5.5 years): 12 normozoospermic men and 12 asthenozoospermic patients. Spermatozoa from each sample were divided into two control aliquots (aliquot A and B) and an aliquot incubated with zinc, D-aspartic acid, and coenzyme-Q10 (aliquot C). After 3h of incubation, the following parameters were evaluated: progressive motility, number of spermatozoa with progressive motility recovered after swim-up, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation. Incubation with zinc, D-aspartic acid, and coenzyme-Q10 maintained sperm motility in normozoospermic men (37.7 ± 1.2 % vs. 35.8 ± 2.3 % at time zero) and improved it significantly in asthenozoospermic patients (26.5 ± 1.9 % vs. 18.8 ± 2.0 % at time zero) (p < 0.01). This resulted in a significantly higher (p < 0.01) number of spermatozoa with progressive motility recovered after swim-up in both normozospermic men (4.1 ± 0.9 vs. 3.3 ± 1.0millions) and asthenozooseprmic patients (3.2 ± 0.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5millions). Finally, a statistically significant lower sperm lipid peroxidation was found after incubation with zinc, D-aspartic acid, and coenzyme-Q10 (p < 0.05) in both normozospermic men (1.0 ± 0.4 % vs. 2.4 ± 0.9 %) and asthenozooseprmic patients (0.2 ± 0.1 % vs. 0.6 ± 0.2 %). No statistically significant effect was observed on sperm DNA fragmentation. This nutraceutical formulation may be indicated in vitro during the separation of the spermatozoa in the assisted reproduction techniques, during which the spermatozoa undergo an increased oxidative stress.

Seminal plasma HSPA2 mRNA content is associated with semen quality.

Cell-free mRNAs (cfmRNAs) were quantitatively measured in human seminal plasma and its relationship with semen quality was investigated. Herein, a prospectively, controlled investigation was performed to study seminal plasma HSPA2 and uPA cfmRNA alterations between 21 asthenozoospermic patients and 16 normozoospermic individuals. Standard semen analysis was performed and seminal plasma cfmRNAs content was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. In addition, the regression analysis between seminal plasma cfmRNAs expression and semen parameters was performed. Seminal plasma HSPA2, but not uPA cfmRNA indicated significant difference between normozoospermia and asthenozoospermia men (P = 0.02444 and 0.07811, respectively). Negative correlation between HSPA2 cfmRNA and sperm motility (R (2) = 0.213, P = 0.004) as well as sperm concentration (R (2) = 0.133, P = 0.026) were revealed. However, no correlation was found between seminal plasma uPA cfmRNA content and semen parameters. Our data suggest that seminal plasma HSPA2 cfmRNA is different between asthenozoospermic and normozoospermic individuals and it might be an indicator for semen quality.

Detection of a mutation in the intron of Sperm-specific glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene in patients with fibrous sheath dysplasia of the sperm flagellum.

The fibrous sheath is a unique cytoskeletal structure surrounding the axoneme and outer dense fibres of the sperm flagellum. Dysplasia of the fibrous sheath (DFS) is a defect of spermatozoa observed in severe asthenozoospermic patients and characterised by morphologically abnormal flagella with distorted fibrous sheaths. Sperm-specific glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDS) is a glycolytic enzyme that is tightly associated with the fibrous sheath of the sperm flagellum. The enzymatic activity of GAPDS was investigated in sperm samples of seven patients with DFS and compared to that of normal spermatozoa (n=10). The difference in GAPDS activity in DFS and normal spermatozoa was statistically significant (0.19±0.11 and 0.75±0.11μmol NADH per min per mg protein respectively). Immunochemical staining revealed irregular distribution of GAPDS in the flagellum of DFS spermatozoa. Other five samples with typical alterations in the fibrous sheath were assayed for mutations within human GAPDS gene. In all five cases, a replacement of guanine by adenine was revealed in the intron region between the sixth and the seventh exons of GAPDS. It is assumed that the deficiency in GAPDS observed in most DFS sperm samples is ascribable to a disorder in the regulation of GAPDS expression caused by the mutation in the intron region of GAPDS gene.

AB035. The expression of cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) and its specific regulator mir-27b in the spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia

BackgroundCysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) is an important sperm protein and plays roles in spermatogenesis, modulation of flagellar motility, acrosome reaction, and gamete fusion. Clinical evidence shows a reduced CRISP2 expression in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients, but the molecular mechanism underlying its reduction remains unknown. Herein, we carried out a study focusing on the CRISP2 reduction and its roles in asthenozoospermiaMethodsSpermatozoa were isolated from 90 study subjects’ ejaculated semen samples. DNA methylation was evaluated using bisulfite-sequencing PCR and methylation-specific PCR. The CRISP2 mRNA and protein expression levels were examined in the ejaculated spermatozoa by qRT-PCR and Western blot respectively. miRNA expression was detected by qRT-PCR. The direct regulatory effect of miR-27b on CRISP2 was predicted computationally and validated via luciferase reporter assay and in vitro experiments in which miR-27b mimic or inhibitor was transfected into 293T cells. Respective correlations of miR-27b and CRISP2 protein expression with clinical features were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient.ResultsInitially, low expression of CRISP2 protein rather than its mRNA was observed in the ejaculated spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients relative to normozoospermic males. Meanwhile, methylation was not found in CRISP2 promoter. These data suggest a possible post-transcriptional regulation of CRISP2 in asthenozoospermia. Subsequently, bioinformatics prediction, luciferase reporter assay and miR-27b transfection experiments revealed that miR-27b could specifically target CRISP2 by binding its 3’-UTR, suppressing CRISP2 expression post-transcriptionally. Further evidence was provided by the clinical observation of a high miR-27b expression in the ejaculated spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients and a negative correlation between miR-27b and CRISP2 protein expression. Finally, a retrospective follow-up study supported that both high miR-27b expression and low CRISP2 protein expression were associated with low sperm progressive motility, abnormal morphology and infertility.ConclusionsThis study provides the first preliminary insight into the mechanism leading to the reduced CRISP2 expression in asthenozoospermia, offering a potential therapeutic target for treating male infertility or for male contraception.

AB087. The expression of cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) and its specific regulator miR-27b in the spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia

ObjectiveCysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) is an important sperm protein and plays roles in spermatogenesis, modulation of flagellar motility, acrosome reaction, and gamete fusion. Clinical evidence shows a reduced CRISP2 expression in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients, but the molecular mechanism underlying its reduction remains unknown. Herein, we carried out a study focusing on the CRISP2 reduction and its roles in asthenozoospermia.MethodsSpermatozoa were isolated from 90 study subjects’ ejaculated semen samples. DNA methylation was evaluated using bisulfite-sequencing PCR and methylation-specific PCR. The CRISP2 mRNA and protein expression levels were examined in the ejaculated spermatozoa by qRT-PCR and Western blot respectively. MiRNA expression was detected by qRT-PCR. The direct regulatory effect of miR-27b on CRISP2 was predicted computationally and validated via luciferase reporter assay and in vitro experiments in which miR-27b mimic or inhibitor was transfected into 293T cells. Respective correlations of miR-27b and CRISP2 protein expression with clinical features were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient.ResultsInitially, low expression of CRISP2 protein rather than its mRNA was observed in the ejaculated spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients relative to normozoospermic males. Meanwhile, methylation was not found in CRISP2 promoter. These data suggest a possible post-transcriptional regulation of CRISP2 in asthenozoospermia. Subsequently, bioinformatics prediction, luciferase reporter assay and miR-27b transfection experiments revealed that miR-27b could specifically target CRISP2 by binding its 3’-UTR, suppressing CRISP2 expression post-transcriptionally. Further evidence was provided by the clinical observation of a high miR-27b expression in the ejaculated spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients and a negative correlation between miR-27b and CRISP2 protein expression. Finally, a retrospective follow-up study supported that both high miR-27b expression and low CRISP2 protein expression were associated with low sperm progressive motility, abnormal morphology and infertility.ConclusionsThis study provides the first preliminary insight into the mechanism leading to the reduced CRISP2 expression in asthenozoospermia, offering a potential therapeutic target for treating male infertility or for male contraception.

Increased N6-methyladenosine in Human Sperm RNA as a Risk Factor for Asthenozoospermia.

Male infertility is a worldwide medical problem. Asthenozoospermia is a common cause of infertility. Epigenetic modifications of DNA and histones have been shown to influence human infertility, but no research has explored whether N6-methyladenosine (m6A) level in RNA is associated with asthenozoospermia. Here, we collected a total of 52 semen samples, including 20 asthenozoospermia patients and 32 healthy controls. An LC-ESI-MS/MS method was used to detect m6A contents in sperm RNA, and real-time PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression of demethylase (FTO, ALKBH5), methyltransferase (METTL3, METTL14, WTAP) and an m6A-selective-binding protein (YTHDF2). We found that m6A content (p = 0.033) and the mRNA expression of METTL3 (p = 0.016) and METTL14 (p = 0.025) in asthenozoospermia patients were significantly higher than those of controls. Increased m6A content was a risk factor for asthenozoospermia (odds ratio (OR) 3.229, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.178 – 8.853, p = 0.023). Moreover, m6A content was correlated with the expression of METTL3 (r = 0.303, p = 0.032) and with sperm motility (progressive motility: r = −0.288, p = 0.038; non-progressive motility: r = −0.293, p = 0.037; immotility: r = 0.387, p = 0.005). Our data suggest that increased m6A content is a risk factor for asthenozoospermia and affects sperm motility. Methyltransferases, particularly METTL3, play key roles in increasing m6A contents in sperm RNA.

Characteristics of testis-specific phosphoglycerate kinase 2 and its association with human sperm quality.

Is there an association between the expression of phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) 2 in spermatozoa and sperm quality in both elderly men and young asthenozoospermia patients? Spermatozoa from elderly men and young asthenozoospermia patients show decreased expression of PGK2, which has a close positive relationship with sperm quality. PGK1 and PGK2 are involved in spermatogenesis and thought to be related to sperm motility. However, limited information is known about their temporal-spatial expression in human spermatogenesis and their relationship with sperm quality. This was a case-control study including 30 healthy young males (aged 28-31 years), 30 elderly men (aged 68-70 years), and 30 asthenozoospermic patients (aged 25-40 years, progressive motility <32%) who donated semen samples. Furthermore, young testes samples were obtained from five fathers (27-33 years old) who had died in car accidents, while aged testes samples were obtained from five elderly fathers (78-82 years old) who were prostate cancer patients. Semen samples from young adults, elderly men and asthenozoospermic patients were prepared, and their parameters were assessed by Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA). Sperm proteins were extracted for western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to characterize the cellular localization of PGK1 and PGK2 in testes samples. Sperm immunofluorescence quantification experiments identified the differential expression of PGK1 and PGK2 in sperm from young adults, elderly men and asthenozoospermic patients. Antibodies against PGK1 and PGK2 were used to test their influence on sperm motility and penetration into viscous media. A modified Kremer test using methyl cellulose was adopted to assess sperm function via penetration into viscous media. Cellular localization analysis showed that PGK1 was mainly expressed in spermatogonia whereas PGK2 was mainly expressed in round spermatids. Expression levels of both PGKs were significantly decreased in the testis with ageing (P < 0.05). Western blot and immunofluorescence quantification showed markedly lower expression of PGK2 (P < 0.05) in sperm from elderly men or asthenozoospermic patients compared sperm from with healthy young men. Sperm functional analysis validated the close relationship between expression of PGK2 and sperm motility (staining percentage, r = 0.60, P < 0.05; intensity, r = 0.59, P < 0.05). Use of an anti-PGK2 antibody on sperm significantly decreased their ability to penetrate into a cervical mucus substitute (P < 0.05). Before any clinical applications using PGK2 to assess sperm quality can be developed, more cases should be used to evaluate this approach. The study provides new insights into the role of PGKs in male reproduction. The results also indicate that PGK2 is a promising molecular candidate for the assessment of sperm quality and the screening of male contraceptive targets. This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 81300533, 81370013 and 81000277) and Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, China (ZR2013HQ002). The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Promoter targeted bisulfite sequencing reveals DNA methylation profiles associated with low sperm motility in asthenozoospermia.

Is there an association between sperm DNA methylation profiles and asthenozoospermia? DNA methylation, at specific CpGs but not at the global level, was significantly different between low motile sperm cells of asthenozoospermic individuals and high motile sperm cells of normozoospermic controls. Aberrant DNA methylation, both globally and restricted to a specific gene locus, has been associated with male infertility and abnormal semen parameters. This was a case-control study investigating the differences in DNA methylation at CpGs in promoter regions between high and low motile sperm cells from eight normozoospermic controls and seven asthenozoospermic patients. The liquid hybridization capture-based bisulfite sequencing method was used to determine DNA methylation at CpGs in promoter regions. The global inter-individual and intra-individual methylation variability were estimated by evaluating the methylation variance between and within different motile sperm fractions from the same or different individuals. Asthenozoospermia-associated differentially methylated or variable CpGs and differentially methylated regions were identified by comparing the DNA methylation of high motile sperm cells from normozoospermic controls with that of low motile sperm cells from asthenozoospermic patients. In this study, we determined the global DNA methylation level (24.7%), inter-individual variance (14.4%) and intra-individual differences between high and low motile sperm fractions (3.9%). We demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences in either the global DNA methylation level or global methylation variability between sperm from men with normozoospermia or asthenozoospermia. Between high motile sperm from men with normozoospermia and low motile sperm from men with asthenozoospermia, we identified 134 differentially methylated CpGs, 41 differentially methylated regions and 134 differentially variable CpGs. The genomic distribution patterns of the differential methylation spectrum suggested that gene expression may be affected in low motile sperm cells of asthenozoospermic patients. Finally, through a functional analysis, we detected 16 differentially methylated or variable genes that are required for spermatogenesis and sperm motility or dominantly expressed in testis. The sample size in this study was limited, although the participants in the two groups were carefully selected and well matched. Our results must be verified in larger cohorts with the use of different techniques. Furthermore, our results were descriptive, and follow-up studies will be needed to elucidate the effect of differential methylation profiles on asthenozoospermia. Our study identified asthenozoospermia-associated DNA methylation profiles and proposed a list of genes, which were suggested to be involved in the regulation of sperm motility through an alteration of DNA methylation. These results will provide promising clues for understanding the effect of DNA methylation on sperm motility and asthenozoospermia. This study was funded primarily by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shenzhen Project of Science and Technology and the National Basic Research Program of China. The authors have no competing interests.

Association of polymorphisms in tektin-t gene with idiopathic asthenozoospermia in Sichuan, China.

The purpose of this research was to study the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the tektin-t gene and idiopathic asthenozoospermia. We conducted sequence analyses of the tektin-t gene in 104 idiopathic asthenozoospermia and 102 fertile men with normospermic parameters in Sichuan, China. In this study, we found that allele 136T (odds ratio [OR] 1.745, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.146-2.655, P = 0.009) was significantly increased in idiopathic asthenozoospermic patients compared with fertile men. This mutation substitutes a highly conserved arginine at position 46 to cysteine. Moreover, PolyPhen-2 analysis predicted that this variant was "probably damaging". In addition, a novel heterozygous mutation, R207H (c.620G >A), was detected in five asthenozoospermic patients, while there was no detection of this genotype among the fertile candidates, indicating that the mutation was located within a conserved domain predicted by PolyPhen-2 analysis as "probably damaging" to the protein. These results suggested that tektin-t variants (Arg/Cys + Cys/Cys) were probably one of the high risk genetic factors for idiopathic asthenozoospermia among males in Sichuan, China, while the R207H polymorphism may be associated with idiopathic asthenozoospermia risk.

Asthenozoospermia and membrane remodeling enzymes: a new role for phospholipase A2.

Phosholipase A2 (PLA2 ) activity in the seminal plasma and in sperm heads is closely related to sperm motility and male fertility. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of different isoforms of phospholipase in asthenozoospermia. To accomplish this, cPLA2 , phospho-cPLA2 , iPLA2 , and sPLA2 were evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunoblot analyses in spermatozoa obtained from 22 normozoospermic men and 28 asthenozoospermic patients. We found significant differences in cPLA2 and its phosphorylated/activated form, iPLA2 , and sPLA2 content and distribution in normal and asthenozoospermic patients. cPLA2 was localized in heads, midpieces, and tails of all spermatozoa as constitutive enzyme, less expressed in the tail of spermatozoa with low progressive motility. While active phospho-cPLA2 distribution was homogeneous throughout the cell body of control-donor spermatozoa, lower levels were detected in the tails of asthenozoospermic patients, as opposed to its strong presence in heads. Low immunofluorescence signal for iPLA2 was found in astenozoospermic patients, whereas sPLA2 was significantly lower in the heads of asthenozoospermic patients. Spermatozoa with low progressive motility showed differences both in terms of total specific activity and of intracellular distribution. cPLA2 , iPLA2 , and sPLA2 specific activities correlated positively and in a significantly manner with sperm progressive motility both in normozoospermic men and asthenozoospermic patients. In conclusion, PLA2 s are expressed in different areas of human spermatozoa. Spermatozoa with low motility showed differences in total specific activity and enzyme distributions. We speculated that PLA2 expression and/or different distribution could be potential biomarkers of asthenozoospermia, one of the major causes of male factor infertility.

Global DNA methylation level was decreased in asthenozoospermia patients and were correlated with IVF outcomes

Global DNA methylation level was decreased in asthenozoospermia patients and were correlated with IVF outcomes

Evaluation of outer dense fiber-1 and -2 protein expression in asthenozoospermic infertile men

Background: Most of male infertility are caused by defect in sperm motility (asthenozoospermia). The molecular mechanism of low sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients has not been fully understood. Sperm motility is strongly related to the axoneme structure which is composed of microtubules and supported by outer dense fiber (ODF) and fibrous sheath (FS) protein. The objective of this study was to characterize the ODF (ODF1 and ODF2) expression in asthenozoospermic infertile male and control normozoospermic fertile male.Methods: Asthenozoospermic samples (n=18) were collected from infertile patients at Andrology Lab, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Jakarta and control were taken from normozoospermic fertile donor (n=18). After motility analyses by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), semen were divided into two parts, for Western blot and for immunocytochemistry analysis. Antibody against ODF1 and ODF2 protein were used in both analyses.Results: Analysis of ODF1 protein expression showed bands with molecular weight of ~30 kDa and ODF2 ~85 kDa. The mean band intensity of ODF1 and ODF2 protein were lower in the asthenozoospermic group (AG) compared to normozoospermic group (NG). Moreover, both ODF proteins were less intense and less localized in the AG than NG. Sperm motility was lower in AG, compared to control NG, i.e. average path velocity (VAP) = 32.07 ± 7.03 vs 37.58 ± 8.73 µm/s, p = 0.455; straight line velocity (VSL) = 24.17 ± 6.90 vs 27.61 ± 4.50 µm/s, p = 0.317 and curvilinear velocity (VCL) = 45.68 ± 7.91 vs 55.55 ± 16.40 µm/s, p = 0.099.Conclusion: There is down-regulation of ODF1 and ODF2 protein expression and less-compact localization in AG sperm compared to the NG. These changes might have caused disturbances in the sperm motility as observed in this study.

Quantification of CatSper1 expression in human spermatozoa and relation to functional parameters.

Is CatSper1 expression in human spermatozoa related to semen parameter values and sperm functions? CatSper1 expression is positively related to progressive and hyperactivated (HA) motility, [Ca(2+)]i responsiveness to progesterone but not the acrosome reaction (AR). The role of cationic channel of sperm (CatSper) in sperm functions is clear in animal models but less defined in human sperm cells. Current knowledge is mostly based on low specificity CatSper inhibitors showing agonistic and toxic effects on human spermatozoa and is thus of little help in clarifying the role of the CatSper channel in human sperm functions. CatSper1 protein expression was evaluated in 115 men undergoing semen analysis for couple infertility. CatSper1 expression was related to routine semen parameters, motility kinematic parameters and basal and progesterone-stimulated [Ca(2+)]i and the AR. CatSper1 expression was evaluated (n = 85 normozoospermic, n = 30 asthenozoospermic patients) by immunofluorescence coupled to flow cytometry leading to quantitative measurement of the percentage of ejaculated sperm cells expressing the protein. Semen analysis was evaluated according to World Health Organization guidelines. Kinematic parameters were evaluated by a computer-aided sperm analysis system. [Ca(2+)]i was measured by a spectrofluorimetric method in fura-2-loaded spermatozoa. The AR was evaluated in live sperm cells by fluorescent-labeled lectin. CatSper1 protein expression in spermatozoa was reduced in asthenozoospermic men (mean ± SD: 53.0 ± 15.5%, n = 30 versus 67.9 ± 17.1% in normozoospermic, n = 85, P < 0.01) and was significantly correlated with progressive (r = 0.36, P < 0.001), total (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) and HA (r = 0.41, P < 0.005) motility. In addition to a higher percentage of spermatozoa not expressing CatSper1, asthenozoospermic men showed a large number of spermatozoa with immunofluorescent signal localized outside the principal piece compared with those in normozoospermia. A significant positive correlation was found between CatSper1 protein expression and the increase of [Ca(2+)]i in response to progesterone (r = 0.36, P < 0.05, n = 40) but not with basal [Ca(2+)]i. No correlation was found with the AR, either basal or in response to progesterone. The study is partly descriptive. Furthermore, we cannot rule out the possibility that some round cells remain after a single round of 40% density gradient centrifugation or that this step may have removed some defective or slow swimming sperm, and therefore this preparation may not be representative of the entire sperm sample. Although our data suggest that CatSper1 may be a useful marker for infertility, and a possible contraceptive target, any clinical application is limited without further research. Our results demonstrate an association of CatSper1 expression with human sperm progressive and HA motility and provide preliminary evidence that lack of expression or mislocalization of CatSper1 in spermatozoa may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia. However, mechanistic studies are needed to confirm that the correlations between CatSper1 expression and sperm functions are causative. Supported by grants from Ministry of University and Scientific Research (PRIN project to E.B. and FIRB project to S.M.) and by Regione Toscana (to G.F.). L.T. was recipient of a grant from Accademia dei Lincei (Rome, Italy). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

A proteomic analysis on human sperm tail: comparison between normozoospermia and asthenozoospermia.

Asthenozoospermia is a common cause of human male infertility characterized by reduced sperm motility. The molecular mechanism that impairs sperm motility is not fully understood. This study proposed to identify novel biomarkers by focusing on sperm tail proteomic analysis of asthenozoospermic patients. Sperm were isolated from normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic semen samples. Tail fractions were obtained by sonication followed by Percoll gradient. The proteins were extracted by solubilization and subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE); then, the spots were analyzed using Image Master 2D Platinum software. The significantly increased/decreased amounts of proteins in the two groups were exploited by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) mass spectrometry. Three hundred ninety protein spots were detected in both groups. Twenty-one protein spots that had significantly altered amounts (p < 0.05) were excised and exploited using MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. They led to the identification of the following 14 unique proteins: Tubulin beta 2B; glutathione S-transferase Mu 3; keratin, type II cytoskeletal 1; outer dense fiber protein 2; voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 2; A-kinase anchor protein 4; cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6B; sperm protein associated with the nucleus on the X chromosome B; phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase-mitochondrial; isoaspartyl peptidase/L-asparaginase; heat shock-related 70kDa protein 2; stress-70 protein, mitochondrial; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, testis-specific and clusterin. Fourteen proteins present in different amounts in asthenozoospermic sperm tail samples were identified, four of which are reported here for the first time. These proteins might be used as markers for the better diagnosis of sperm dysfunctions, targets for male contraceptive development, and to predict embryo quality.

Aged men share the sperm protein PATE1 defect with young asthenozoospermia patients.

Does a defect in the human sperm-located protein prostate and testis expressed 1 (PATE1) exist in both aged men and young asthenozoospermia patients? A defect in sperm PATE1 exists in both aged men and young asthenozoospermia patients, and an antibody against PATE1 can decrease human sperm motility and zona-free hamster oocyte penetration. Both aged men and young asthenozoospermia patients have poor sperm quality. The PATE1 protein seems to mediate sperm-egg interactions; however, the mechanisms are still unknown. This was a case-control study including 60 young fathers (aged 28-32 years) and 60 aged fathers (68-72 years old) who donated semen by masturbation after 7 days of sexual abstinence. Comparative sperm proteome analysis from the young fathers and aged fathers was performed to discover key proteins. The target protein PATE1 was chosen and validated by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Quantitative assessment of sperm PATE1 protein was performed on sperm from 60 young fathers, 60 aged fathers and 110 young asthenozoospermia patients. Furthermore, an antibody against PATE1 assay was used to test whether PATE1 participated in sperm motility and penetration of zona-free hamster egg. Samples were pooled and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to validate the confidence of proteomic data. Sperm immunofluorescence quantification experiments disclosed whether the aged men indeed shared the same PATE1 defect with 110 young asthenozoospermia patients. The sperm motility test and penetration of zona-free hamster egg assay were performed for PATE1. Twenty-two sperm proteins with significant differential expression between young adults and aged men were identified (P < 0.05, mean ratio >1.5), including 13 proteins with decreased expressions with aging. Based on bioinformatics, PATE1 was chosen for further study, and exhibited similar changes in expression level and localization on sperm from aged men and young asthenozoospermia patients. Antibody blocking revealed that PATE1 was involved in sperm-egg penetration and sperm motility. Before any clinical application of PATE1 as a biomarker for the diagnosis of male infertility, more cases should be used to evaluate confidence in this approach. This study revealed a common molecular basis underlying the decline in sperm quality in the natural aging process and in young men with asthenozoospermia. The data should greatly contribute to the development of molecular evaluation of sperm quality, and the diagnosis and treatment of asthenozoospermia. This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 81300533, 81370013 and 81000277) and Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, China (ZR2013HQ002, ZR2014HQ068). The authors declare no competing financial interests.

The expression of cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) and its specific regulator miR-27b in the spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia.

Cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) is an important sperm protein and plays roles in spermatogenesis, modulation of flagellar motility, acrosome reaction, and gamete fusion. Clinical evidence shows a reduced CRISP2 expression in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients, but the molecular mechanism underlying its reduction remains unknown. Herein, we carried out a study focusing on the CRISP2 reduction and its roles in asthenozoospermia. Initially, through analyzing CRISP2 expression and methylation on CRISP2 promoter activity in sperm, we observed a decreased expression of CRISP2 protein rather than its mRNA in the ejaculated spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients and no methylation in the CRISP2 promoter, suggesting CRISP2 expression may be regulated in the sperm at the posttranscriptional level. Subsequently, we found that microRNA 27b (miR-27b), predicted as a candidate regulator of CRISP2 using bioinformatics, was highly expressed in the ejaculated spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients. Luciferase reporter assay and transfection experiments disclosed that this microRNA could target CRISP2 by specifically binding its 3' untranslated region, suppressing CRISP2 expression. Extended clinical observation further confirmed a highly expressed miR-27b and its obviously negative correlation with CRISP2 protein expression in ejaculated spermatozoa samples from asthenozoospermic patients. Finally, we conducted a retrospective follow-up study to support that either high miR-27b expression or low CRISP2 protein expression was significantly associated with low sperm progressive motility, abnormal morphology, and infertility. Thus, this study provides the first preliminary insight into the mechanism leading to the reduced CRISP2 expression in asthenozoospermia, offering a potential therapeutic target for treating male infertility or for male contraception.

Protective effects of coenzyme Q10 and aspartic acid on oxidative stress and DNA damage in subjects affected by idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

Male infertility is negatively influenced by reactive oxygen species and by other oxidant radicals [1]. In this regard, the relevant role of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in contributing to the total antioxidant buffer capacity of semen has been extensively investigated [1]. Two distinct studies conducted by our group, showed that in idiopathic asthenozoospermic patients undergoing CoQ10 therapy a significant increase in spermatozoa motility was observed [1, 2], suggesting its potential therapeutic role. On the other hand, Aspartic acid (D-Asp) supplementation was found to increase the concentration and motility of spermatozoa in oligo-asthenozoospermic and asthenozoospermic subjects [3]. Some evidence suggests a protective effect against oxidative stress for this molecule [4]. Only a few interventional studies have assessed oxidative stress in sperm of idiopathic infertile men treated with CoQ10 and D-Asp [5–9]. However, they just examined some of the markers of oxidative stress, focusing, in the great majority of cases, only on subjects who were administered CoQ10 [6–9]. Given these premises, we conducted a study in infertile idiopathic subjects who underwent co-administration of CoQ10 and D-Asp in order to evaluate some previously untested parameters of sperm oxidative stress, like superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite levels, and analyze the effects of these substances on sperm DNA damage markers.

Relationship between absence of annulus and asthenozoospermia in Iranian men.

To find a relationship between absence of annulus and asthenozoospermia in Iranian men. In the present study, semen samples from 100 asthenozoospermic and 20 normozospermic patients were analyzed for sperm concentration and motility. Spermatozoa were immunostained for the two septin subunits Sept4 and Sept7. The absence of the annulus structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and western blot analysis for septin 4. DNA sequencing for all coding exons of SEPT12 was performed for a patient using peripheral blood sample. Specific antibodies for SEPT4 and SEPT7 consistently labeled the annuli in spermatozoa from all of the 20 normozospermic men, while in one of 100 patients with asthenozoospermia, 75% of sperms lacking septin 4 or septin 7 proteins at the annulus. It was shown that the structural defect in annulus formation is not caused by point mutation of SEPT12 gene. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that the frequency of the absence of annulus in asthenozoospermic sample of Iranian population has a low frequency and could not be assume as a diagnostic marker for classifying asthenozoospermic patients.

Effect of rapid freezing and thawing on Malondialdehyde concentration, abnormal sperm chromatin percent and sperm parameters of Asthenozoospermic patients

Objective: The study aimed to study the effect of rapid freezing and thawing on Malondialdehyde concentration and abnormal sperm chromatin percent and sperm parameters of Asthenozoospermic patients. Methodology: This study was performed in the laboratory of Intra cytoplasmic Injection and freezing of sperm in thefertility center of Al-Sader Medical City / Al-najaf Alashraf City during the period of May, 2012 to April 2013, the study included 30 of Asthenozoospermic patients, the statistical analysis of this study performed by usingStudent's t-test and paired t-test at the level of probability 0.05 Results: the results showed that is sperm rapid freezing process of patients who were Included in the study by usedsperm freezing media (Sperm Freeze) and doing the thawing processes after one month of freezing leads to asignificant decreasing (p&lt;0.05) In the sperm concentration, sperm progressive motility percent, sperm viabilitypercent and normal sperm morphology percent. and a significant increasing (p&lt;0.05). In The Malondialdehydeconcentration and abnormal Sperm chromatin percent and no significant difference (p&lt;0.05) In round Cell concentration in comparison with their ranges after activation Conclusion: It can be concluded in this study that sperm rapid freezing and thawing processes had a negativeeffects on the semen and sperm parameters and Malondialdehyde concentration and abnormal sperm chromatinpercent In the all samples of study included patients. Recommendation: Adding Anti oxidants to the sperm freezing media to decrease the negative effects of freezingand increase the sperm parameters.