Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Reproduction and Development, Reproductive Biomedicine Center, Royan Institute for Animal Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran nimal Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
2
Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
3
Department of Anatomy, Isfahan Medical University, Isfahan, Iran
4
Department of Anatomy, Isfahan Medical University, Isfahan, Ira
5
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Cell Sciences Research Center, Royan Institute for Animal Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
6
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Cell Sciences Research Center, Royan Institute for Animal Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran iotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
7
Department of Biology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
8
Department of Anatomy, Ghazvin Medical University, Ghazvin, Iran
Abstract
Background
Heat shock protein A2 (HSPA2) is correlated with sperm maturity and function. Therefore, dysfunctional expression of this gene results in abnormal spermatogenesis. On the other hand, DNA damage in spermatozoa is considered to be an important cause of male infertility, and the presence of sperm with DNA fragmentation and chromatin abnormalities in human ejaculates is well documented, in particular in men with poor semen quality. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate HSPA2 expression and its relation with DNA fragmentation, protamine deficiency involved in DNA packaging and semen parameters in varicocele patients in comparison to fertile men before and after varicocelectomy.
Materials and methods
This study included 52 fertile individuals as the control group and 70 infertile individuals with varicocele as the experimental group. Sperm DNA fragmentation, protamine deficiency and relative HSPA2 expression were evaluated by the sperm chromatin dispersion test, chromomycin A3 staining and RT-PCR, respectively.
Results
The mean values of abnormal morphology, protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation were significantly lower in varicocele individuals following varicocelectomy when compared to fertile individuals. The correlation between these parameters were studied and discussed in the text.
Conclusion
There is a decrease in relative HSPA2 expression which is possibly due to chronic induced hyperthermia in varicocele individuals. Removal of this stress increases HSPA2 expression and results in the proper folding of proteins involved in spermatogenesis; therefore resulting in improved DNA packaging, as well as better sperm morphology and motility which may indirectly reduce sperm DNA fragmentation.
Keywords
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