• PMID: 12407049
• Gene Name: MMP-2
• Condition: Azoospermia
• Association: MMP-2 in seminal plasma was strongly correlated to the sperm count in a linear fashion. Its origin and potential function remain to be elucidated.
• Population size: 60
• Population details: 60 (12 normozoospermic, 28 azoospermic, 20 azoospermic after vasectomy )
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Associated genes: MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2
• Other associated phenotypes: Azoospermia

Quantitative differences in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, but not in MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 or TIMP-2, in seminal plasma of normozoospermic and azoospermic patients

Baumgart E, Lenk SV, Loening SA, Jung K.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), have been detected in reproductive tissues and seminal plasma. The purpose of this study was to quantify MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in human seminal plasma and to evaluate their association with sperm. METHODS: Seminal plasma was analysed using ELISA assays for all four analytes in 12 normozoospermic and 12 azoospermic patients and then for MMP-2 only in another 114 men with azoospermia (n = 16), after vasectomy (n = 20) and with sperm counts within the following ranges: 0.3-19 x 10(6)/ml (n = 20), 20-23 x 10(6)/ml (n = 11), 49-57 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12), 96-110 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12), 139-161 x 10(6)/ml (n = 12) and 215-346 x 10(6)/ml (n = 11). Additional zymographic analyses using SDS-PAGE were performed. RESULTS: All investigated MMPs and TIMPs were detected. MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were not significantly different in normozoospermia and azoospermia. Only the MMP-2 concentration was significantly decreased in azoospermic compared with normozoospermic patients (mean +/- SD: 650.6 +/- 288.9 versus 1677 +/- 910.4 ng/ml respectively; P = 0.0002) and significantly correlated with the number of sperm (r = 0.54; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: MMP-2 in seminal plasma was strongly correlated to the sperm count in a linear fashion. Its origin and potential function remain to be elucidated. FAU - Baumgart, E AU - Baumgart E AD - Department of Urology, University Hospital Charité, Humboldt University, Schumannstr 20/21, D -10117 Berlin, Germany. FAU - Lenk, S V AU - Lenk SV FAU - Loening, S A AU - Loening SA