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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

Erschienen in:

09.09.2016 | Gamete Biology

An association between sperm PLCζ levels and varicocele?

verfasst von: Elham Janghorban-Laricheh, Nasim Ghazavi-Khorasgani, Marziyeh Tavalaee, Dina Zohrabi, Homayon Abbasi, Mohammad H. Nasr- Esfahani

Erschienen in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Ausgabe 12/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to compare the expression of phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ), as one of the main sperm factors involved in oocyte activation, at both RNA and protein levels in fertile men and those with varicocele.

Methods

This study included 35 individuals with male factor infertility presenting primary infertility with grade II and III unilateral varicocele and 20 fertile men without varicocele. Semen parameters were assessed according to WHO 2010. Sperm DNA fragmentation, relative expression of PLCζ at messenger RNA, and protein levels were evaluated by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis, respectively.

Results

The results of this study reveal that the mean relative expression of PLCζ was significantly lower in individuals with varicocele compared to fertile men at both transcription and translation levels. In addition, the percentage of DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in infertile men with varicocele compared to fertile men.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study illustrate that one of the etiologies of reduced fertility associated with varicocele is the low expression of PLCζ. This effect could subsequently reduce the sperm ability to induce oocyte activation. Therefore, these results hold promise to modify our understanding of reproductive physiology of varicocele state.

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Titel: An association between sperm PLCζ levels and varicocele?
verfasst von: Elham Janghorban-Laricheh
Nasim Ghazavi-Khorasgani
Marziyeh Tavalaee
Dina Zohrabi
Homayon Abbasi
Mohammad H. Nasr- Esfahani
Publikationsdatum: 09.09.2016
Verlag: Springer US
Erschienen in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Ausgabe 12/2016
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0802-5

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An association between sperm PLCζ levels and varicocele?