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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 1/2018

01-01-2018 | Gamete Biology

Sub-fertile sperm cells exemplify telomere dysfunction

Authors: Tal Biron-Shental, Amir Wiser, Anat Hershko-Klement, Ofer Markovitch, Aliza Amiel, Arie Berkovitch

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate telomere homeostasis in sub-fertile compared to fertile human sperm.

Methods

This observational, comparative study included 16 sub-fertile men who required intracytoplasmic sperm injection and 10 fertile men. At least 100 sperm cells from each participant were assessed. Main outcome measures were telomere length and telomere aggregates. Telomerase RNA component (TERC) copy number and telomere capture were assessed using fluorescence in situ hybridization technique and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) using immunohistochemistry.

Results

Clinical backgrounds were similar. The percentage of sperm cells with shorter telomeres was higher among the sub-fertile compared to the fertile participants (3.3 ± 3.1 vs. 0.6 ± 1.2%, respectively; P < 0.005). The percentage of cells with telomere aggregates was significantly higher in the sub-fertile group (15.12 ± 3.73 vs. 4.73 ± 3.73%; P < 0.005). TERC gene copy number was similar between groups. The percentage of cells that were positive for hTERT was lower in the sub-fertile group (3.81 ± 1.27 vs. 8.42 ± 1.80%; P < 0.005). Telomere capture rates were higher among the sub-fertile sperm cells (P < 0.005).

Conclusions

Sub-fertile sperm cells have short telomeres that are elongated by the alternative pathway of telomere capture. Dysfunctional telomeres may affect sperm fertilizability.
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Metadata
Title
Sub-fertile sperm cells exemplify telomere dysfunction
Authors
Tal Biron-Shental
Amir Wiser
Anat Hershko-Klement
Ofer Markovitch
Aliza Amiel
Arie Berkovitch
Publication date
01-01-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1029-9

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