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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 12/2016

01-12-2016 | Reproductive Physiology and Disease

Alterations in the proliferative/apoptotic equilibrium in semen of adolescents with varicocele

Authors: Larissa Berloffa Belardin, Paula Toni Del Giudice, Mariana Camargo, Paula Intasqui, Mariana Pereira Antoniassi, Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla, Agnaldo Pereira Cedenho

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 12/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

To verify if the presence of varicocele (grades II and III) with and without seminal alterations, using the 5th centile cutoff values in table A1.1 of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010) manual, alters the seminal plasma levels of proteins DNASE1 (deoxyribonuclease-1) and IGFBP7 (Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7), which are related to apoptosis regulation and cell proliferation, respectively, demonstrating that these proteins are important for correct spermatogenesis.

Methods

This cross sectional study was performed at the Sao Paulo Federal University Paulo between May 2014 and April 2016. A total of 61 male adolescents were included in this study, of which 20 controls without varicocele (C), 22 with varicocele and normal semen analysis (VNS) and 19 with varicocele and altered semen analysis (VAS). Seminal plasma from each patient was used for Western blotting analysis of individual protein levels. Values of each protein were normalized to a testicular housekeeping protein (PARK7—protein deglycase DJ-1).

Results

Levels of IGFBP7 protein are increased in varicocele. Levels of DNASE1 are progressively decreased in varicocele (lower in varicocele and normal semen analysis, lowest in varicocele and altered semen analysis) when compared to adolescents without varicocele. DNASE1 levels are positively correlated with sperm concentration and morphology (correlation values of 0.400 and 0.404, respectively; p values of 0.001 and 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

In conclusion, in adolescents, seminal plasma levels of IGFBP7, responsible for proliferative activity, are increased in varicocele grades II and III, and DNASE1, responsible for apoptosis regulation, are lower in varicocele, lowest in varicocele and low semen quality. These proteins demonstrate molecular alterations brought upon by varicocele. Moreover, DNASE1 is capable of discriminating a varicocele that causes alterations to semen quality from one that does not. We propose that the initial response of varicocele is to increase proliferative activity which, if followed by regulation of apoptosis, may lead to the ejaculation of a population of sperm that are in accordance with WHO cutoff values but, in the presence of dysregulated apoptosis, leads to lower sperm concentration and morphology.
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Metadata
Title
Alterations in the proliferative/apoptotic equilibrium in semen of adolescents with varicocele
Authors
Larissa Berloffa Belardin
Paula Toni Del Giudice
Mariana Camargo
Paula Intasqui
Mariana Pereira Antoniassi
Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla
Agnaldo Pereira Cedenho
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 12/2016
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0808-z

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