Year: 2018
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: The present study aimed to measure the protamines P1 and P2 concentrations, standard sperm parameters, and also DNA fragmentation and condensation.In addition, the correlations between the above-mentioned variables and the P1/P2 ratio were explored in order to find out whether the ratio could be used as a biomarker for semen quality.Materials and Methods: A total of 272 semen samples were divided into 3 P1/P2 ratio groups: G1 as low (<0.8),G2 as normal (0.8-1.2), and G3 as high (>1.2) ratios.DNA fragmentation and condensation were evaluated by TUNEL and CMA3 (chromomycinA 3 ) assays and protamine levels (P1 and P2) were measured using acid urea polyacrylamide gel (AU-PAGE) electrophoresis and western blot (WB).Results: In G1, CMA3 positive and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were negatively correlated (r = -0.371,P = 0.001).In addition, P1/P2 ratio had a positive correlation with DFI (r = 0.652, P = 0.001);however it had a negative association with CMA3 (r = -0.623,P = 0.001).Moreover, G2 demonstrated positive correlations between sperm concentration and P1(r = 0.257, P = 0.011) and P2 (r = 0.277, P = 0.006), progressive motility, and P1 (r = 0.352, P = 0.001).The P2 was positively correlated with progressive motility (r = 0.380, P < 0.01).Besides, a positive relationship was found between P1/P2 ratio and CMA3 (r = 0.333, P = 0.001).In contrast, normal morphology showed a negative association (P < 0.05) with P1 (r = -0.206)and P2 (r = -0.208).Meanwhile, there was a negative correlation between P1 and DFI (r = -0.207,P = 0.041) as well.Finally, in G3, negative correlations were also observed between P1 and normal morphology (r = -.283,P = .027)and also P1/P2 ratio and P2 (r = -0.372,P = 0.003) while DFI showed a positive correlation with CMA3 (r = 0.299, P = 0.019). Conclusions:The results revealed that P1/P2 ratio affected DNA integrity.Therefore, it was found that it could play a crucial role in human sperm quality and function and thus might be used as a predictor of fertility in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments.
Institutions: Sakarya University, Saarland University, Fayoum University
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Universität des Saarlandes
OpenAlex ID: W2907910491