The Detection of CatSper1 and CatSper3 Expression in Men with Normozoospermia and Asthenoteratozoospermia and Its Association with Sperm Parameters, Fertilization Rate, Embryo Quality.

CatSper affects sperm function and male fertilization capacity markers, including sperm motility and egg penetration. The study has aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression of CatSper1, and CatSper3 in the spermatozoa of men with normozoospermia and Asthenoteratozoospermia, and to assess the correlation between genes expression and sperm parameters, fertilization rate, and embryo quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was utilized to evaluate the mRNA expression of CatSper1 and CatSper3 in sperm in two patient groups: Normozoospermia (NOR; n = 32), and Asthenoteratozoospermia (AT; n = 22). In all patients receiving intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the fertilization rate and embryo quality were evaluated. CatSper1, and CatSper3 mRNA expression in sperm was significantly lower in AT males than in NOR (P < 0.05). Levels of these genes demonstrated a significant positive correlation with sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), capacitation, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and embryo quality (P < 0.05) following ICSI. However, a negative correlation was found between mRNA expression of CatSper1, 3 and sperm DNA fragmentation (P < 0.05). Findings indicate low levels of CatSper1 and CatSper3 mRNA expression in men with Asthenoteratozoospermia, which resulted in poor sperm quality and impaired embryo development following ICSI therapy.

The correlation of Septin4 gene expression with sperm quality, DNA damage, and oxidative stress level in infertile patients.

Septin4 belong to a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins that are required for many cellular functions, such as membrane compartmentalization, vesicular trafficking, mitosis, and cytoskeletal remodeling. Since, Septin4 is expressed specifically in the testis, we aimed to determine the association between Septin4 gene expression with sperm quality, DNA damage, and stress oxidative level in infertile patients. The present study included 60 semen samples that grouped into three groups: normozoospermia (n=20), asthenozoospermia (n=20), astheno-teratozoospermia (n=20). Initially, semen parameters were analyzed by using the World Health Organization protocol. The mRNA expression of Septin4 in sperm was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Oxidative stress markers, i.e., total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde, were determined by ELISA kit. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). However, it showed significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels. In conclusion, Septin4 gene expression provides clinical useful information for the diagnosis of male infertility. It might be a marker for discrimination between fertile and infertile patients. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm MMP. However, it shows significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels.