• PMID: 20629644
• Gene Name: BAK
• Condition: Varicocele
• Association: An increased expression of PARP, Bak and p53 for varicocele-afflicted individuals indicated an increased participation by these agents in the regulating of apoptosis in the ejaculated semen from patients with varicocele, suggesting that certain protein-de
• Population size: 35
• Population details: 35 (25 patients with varicocele, 10 normal fertile controls)
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Associated genes: PARP, Bak and p53
• Other associated phenotypes: Varicocele

Effects of varicocele upon the expression of apoptosis-related proteins

Chang FW, Sun GH, Cheng YY, Chen IC, Chien HH, Wu GJ.

Varicocele-associated apoptosis has been recognised as a cause of male infertility. Thus, we assessed the expression of somatic apoptosis-related proteins (the typical protein-dependent apoptosis markers) in ejaculated sperm plasma from both patients with varicocele and normal donors. We evaluated the relationships between certain apoptosis-related proteins and normal semen quality. Semen samples were obtained from 25 patients with varicocele and from 10 normal fertile controls. These samples were compared using computer-assisted semen analysis for motion parameters and manual analysis for morphology, and were also assayed for apoptosis-related protein activation including caspase-3, poly-ACP-ribose polymerase (PARP), the Bcl-2 family (Bcl-2, Bak) and p53 by means of immunoblot analysis. PARP, Bak and p53 were expressed substantially more in the sperm cells of the varicocele group when compared with the normal group (P < 0.05). The expression of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 did not appear to differ between these two study groups. An increased expression of PARP, Bak and p53 for varicocele-afflicted individuals indicated an increased participation by these agents in the regulating of apoptosis in the ejaculated semen from patients with varicocele, suggesting that certain protein-development apoptotic mechanisms might originate in the cytoplasmic droplet or within mitochondria of spermatocytes and then might function within the nucleus of the cell. FAU - Chang, F-W AU - Chang FW AD - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Taipei, Taiwan. FAU - Sun, G-H AU - Sun GH FAU - Cheng, Y-Y AU - Cheng YY FAU - Chen, I-C AU - Chen IC FAU - Chien, H-H AU - Chien HH