Maryam Gholinezhad1, Yousefreza Yousefnia-Pasha2, Abasalt Hosseinzadeh Colagar3, Milad Mohammadoo-Khorasani4, Ali Bidmeshkipour1. 1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. 2. Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. 3. Departement of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran. 4. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences,Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mitochondria play a crucial role in energy metabolism for the survival and motility of sperm during fertilization. The aim of this study was to determine the association of large-scale mitochondrial DNA deletions with abnormal sperm motility and morphology in asthenoteratozoospermic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 41 semen samples were collected from 18 normozoospermic healthy men and 23 asthenoteratozoospermic patients, according to the WHO guidelines. The swim-up technique was used for separation of spermatozoa on the basis of their motility. Long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for screening of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) large-scale deletions, and primer shift PCR was used for confirmation of deletions. RESULTS: The mean sperm motility, normal morphology, and progressive motility in asthenoteratozoospermic patients were significantly lower than in the normozoospermic group (P < 0.0001). There was a positive significant correlation between motility and normal sperm morphology ( P < 0.0001, r = 0.741). The results of long-range PCR revealed the existence of 4866-bp deletion along with the two common 4977-bp and 7436-bp deleted mtDNA in both groups. However, the frequency of multiple mtDNA deletions in the asthenoteratozoospermic group (15/23, 65.22%) was significantly higher than that in the normozoospermic group (7/18, 38.89%). Direct sequencing of the 534-bp PCR product revealed that it was amplified from the mtDNA with a 4866-bp deletion flanked by a seven-nucleotide direct repeat (5'-ACCCCCT-3'). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that these large-scale deletions of mtDNA may be genetic risk factors for poor sperm quality in asthenoteratozoospermia-induced male infertility. Thus, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind the generation of these deletions.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mitochondria play a crucial role in energy metabolism for the survival and motility of sperm during fertilization. The aim of this study was to determine the association of large-scale mitochondrial DNA deletions with abnormal sperm motility and morphology in asthenoteratozoospermic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 41 semen samples were collected from 18 normozoospermic healthy men and 23 asthenoteratozoospermic patients, according to the WHO guidelines. The swim-up technique was used for separation of spermatozoa on the basis of their motility. Long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for screening of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) large-scale deletions, and primer shift PCR was used for confirmation of deletions. RESULTS: The mean sperm motility, normal morphology, and progressive motility in asthenoteratozoospermic patients were significantly lower than in the normozoospermic group (P < 0.0001). There was a positive significant correlation between motility and normal sperm morphology ( P < 0.0001, r = 0.741). The results of long-range PCR revealed the existence of 4866-bp deletion along with the two common 4977-bp and 7436-bp deleted mtDNA in both groups. However, the frequency of multiple mtDNA deletions in the asthenoteratozoospermic group (15/23, 65.22%) was significantly higher than that in the normozoospermic group (7/18, 38.89%). Direct sequencing of the 534-bp PCR product revealed that it was amplified from the mtDNA with a 4866-bp deletion flanked by a seven-nucleotide direct repeat (5'-ACCCCCT-3'). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that these large-scale deletions of mtDNA may be genetic risk factors for poor sperm quality in asthenoteratozoospermia-induced male infertility. Thus, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind the generation of these deletions.
Authors: Isidora M Starovlah; Sava M Radovic Pletikosic; Tamara M Tomanic; Marija Lj Medar; Tatjana S Kostic; Silvana A Andric Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2022-07-14 Impact factor: 6.055
Authors: Isidora M Starovlah; Sava M Radovic Pletikosic; Tatjana S Kostic; Silvana A Andric Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2021-05-27 Impact factor: 5.923
Authors: Isidora M Starovlah; Sava M Radovic Pletikosic; Tamara M Tomanic; Marija L J Medar; Tatjana S Kostic; Silvana A Andric Journal: Cells Date: 2022-03-15 Impact factor: 6.600