• PMID: 24842676
• Gene Name: NR1H3
• Condition: Azoospermia
• Association: Associated
• Population size: 27
• Population details: 27 (22 NOA, 5 OA)
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Azoospermia

Levels of liver X receptors in testicular biopsies of patients with azoospermia

Rondanino C, Ouchchane L, Chauffour C, Marceau G, Déchelotte P, Sion B, Pons-Rejraji H, Janny L, Volle DH, Lobaccaro JM, Brugnon F.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the transcription factors liver X receptors (LXRs) and their downstream genes, which are involved in the regulation of several testicular functions in mouse models, are differentially expressed in testes of men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) or obstructive azoospermia (OA). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Patients with various types of NOA (n=22) and with OA (n=5). INTERVENTION(S): Human testicular biopsies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Transcript levels were measured in testicular biopsies with the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Correlations of LXR mRNA levels with the number of germ cells, the expression of proliferation and apoptosis markers, and the amount of intratesticular lipids and testosterone were evaluated. The localization of LXRα was analyzed by immunofluorescence. RESULT(S): LXR mRNA levels were decreased by 49%-98% in NOA specimens and positively correlated with germ cell number. Accumulations of IDOL and SREBP1c (LXR targets involved in lipid homeostasis) were 1.8-2.1 times lower in NOA samples and mRNA levels of the SREBP1c target gene ELOVL6 were increased 1.9-2.4-fold. Interestingly, the amount of triglycerides and free fatty acids were higher in NOA testes (3.4-12.2-fold). LXRα was present in Leydig cells. Accumulations of LXR downstream genes encoding the steroidogenic proteins StAR and 3βHSD2 were higher in NOA testes (5.9-12.8-fold). CONCLUSION(S): Knowledge of changes in the transcript levels of LXRs and some of their downstream genes during altered spermatogenesis may help us to better understand the physiopathology of testicular failure in azoospermic patients. CI - Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. FAU - Rondanino, Christine AU - Rondanino C AD - Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, Aubière, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, Aubière, France; Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; AMP-CECOS, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Ouchchane, Lemlih AU - Ouchchane L AD - Laboratoire ISIT, UMR 6284 Université d'Auvergne-CNRS, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Service de Biostatistiques, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Chauffour, Candice AU - Chauffour C AD - Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, Aubière, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, Aubière, France; Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France; AMP-CECOS, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Marceau, Geoffroy AU - Marceau G AD - Laboratoire de Biochimie, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Déchelotte, Pierre AU - Déchelotte P AD - Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Sion, Benoît AU - Sion B AD - Laboratoire NEURO-DOL, INSERM U 1107, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Fondamentale et Clinique de la Douleur, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Pons-Rejraji, Hanae AU - Pons-Rejraji H AD - Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, Aubière, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, Aubière, France; AMP-CECOS, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Janny, Laurent AU - Janny L AD - Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, Aubière, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, Aubière, France; AMP-CECOS, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Volle, David H AU - Volle DH AD - Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, Aubière, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, Aubière, France; Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France. FAU - Lobaccaro, Jean-Marc A AU - Lobaccaro JM AD - Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, Aubière, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, Aubière, France; Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.