Expression and significance of Rap1A in testes of azoospermic subjects.

AIM: To evaluate the Rap1A mRNA expression and its significance in the testes of normal and azoospermic subjects. METHODS: A cDNA microarray that contained Rap1A and some other genes such as RBM, EIF1AY was used to identify the differential gene expression profiles between the normal and azoospermic testes. cDNA probes were prepared by labeling mRNA from azoospermic and normal testicular tissues through reverse transcription with Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP, respectively. The mixed cDNA probes were then hybridized with cDNA microarray (each containing 4096 unique human cDNA sequences). The fluorescent signals were scanned and the values of Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP on each spot were analyzed and calculated. In situ hybridization was employed to detect the expression of Rap1A in the testes of 10 fertile and 39 azoospermic subjects. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-eight differentially expressed genes were found to be possibly related to azoospermia, of which 56 were up-regulated and 72, down-regulated genes. The mRNA expression of Rap1A in the spermatogenic cells of azoospermic was stronger than that in those of the fertile testes. CONCLUSION: Rap1A may play certain roles in the development of azoospermia.