• PMID: 21171266
• Gene Name: CHEK1
• Condition: Associated with semen quality
• Association: Associated
• Population size: 80
• Population details: 80 (4 groups of equal number: normal, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia)
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Associated with semen quality

[Expression of Chk1 in human sperm and its significance]

Liu DF, Li B, Jiang H, Ma LL, Hong K, Zhao LM, Yuan RP, Chen Q, Liu JM, Li C.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of the Chk1 gene in human sperm and its clinical significance. METHODS: We collected 80 semen samples and divided them into 4 groups of equal number: normal, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia. The Chk1 expression and its relative level were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR, sperm DNA damage and gradient changes assessed by DNA ladder analysis, and sperm apoptosis determined by Annexin V/PI double staining in each group. RESULTS: The Chk1 gene was expressed in all the four groups, but with significant differences (P < 0.01); the relative levels of CHK1 protein were similar to those of Chk1 mRNA in the normal, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia groups, which were 1.00 +/- 0.22, 0.76 +/- 0.10, 0.45 +/- 0.08 and 0.37 +/- 0.07, respectively. DNA ladder analysis showed a marked DNA ladder in the asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia groups. Sperm apoptosis was markedly increased in the oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia and 100% graded sperm groups ([ 8.3 +/- 0.60]%, [11.6 +/- 0.92]%, [12.5 +/- 1.43]% and [17.0 +/- 1.98]%), as compared with the normal group ([7.6 +/- 0.34]%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chk1 is expressed in human sperm, but differently in different semen quality groups. And its expression is correlated with sperm DNA damage and apoptosis; its reduction may lead to declined sperm repair and increased sperm apoptosis and thus affect semen quality. FAU - Liu, De-feng AU - Liu DF AD - Department of Urology, The Third Hospital of Peking University, Beijing 100191, China. liudefeng2007@yahoo.com.cn FAU - Li, Bin AU - Li B FAU - Jiang, Hui AU - Jiang H FAU - Ma, Lu-lin AU - Ma LL FAU - Hong, Kai AU - Hong K FAU - Zhao, Lian-ming AU - Zhao LM FAU - Yuan, Ren-pei AU - Yuan RP FAU - Chen, Qian AU - Chen Q FAU - Liu, Jian-ming AU - Liu JM