• PMID: 25779018
• Gene Name: NPC2
• Condition: Oligoasthenozoospermia
• Association: Associated
• Population size: 20
• Population details: 20 (10 men with normozoospermia, 10 men with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia)
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Oligoasthenozoospermia

Comparative analysis of the seminal plasma proteomes of oligoasthenozoospermic and normozoospermic men

Giacomini E, Ura B, Giolo E, Luppi S, Martinelli M, Garcia RC, Ricci G.

A comparative proteomic study of oligoasthenozoospermic and normozoospermic seminal plasmas was conducted to establish differences in protein expression. Oligoasthenozoospermia (when semen presents with a low concentration and reduced motility of spermatozoa) is common in male infertility. Two-dimensional protein maps from seminal plasma samples from 10 men with normozoospermia and 10 men with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia were obtained by isoelectric focusing followed by sodium dodecyl-sulphate polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Map images were analysed using dedicated software involving normalization, spot-to-spot volume comparison and statistical treatment of the results to establish the significance of differences between normal and oligoasthenozoospermic samples. Six out of 1028 spots showed over 1.5-fold relative intensity differences (P < 0.05, analysis of variance). Four proteins were identified by nano liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry of their tryptic peptides and database searches. Two proteins were more than three-fold under-expressed in oligoasthenozoospermia, namely epididymal secretory protein E1 and galectin-3-binding protein; the other (lipocalin-1 and a prolactin-inducible protein form) were over-expressed. The identity and differential expression of epididymal secretory protein E1 was verified by Western-blotting. The statistically significant differential expression of these four proteins in oligoasthenozoospermia compared with normozoospermia provides a molecular basis for further investigations into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia. CI - Copyright © 2015 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. FAU - Giacomini, Elisa AU - Giacomini E AD - Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste 34149, Italy. FAU - Ura, Blendi AU - Ura B AD - Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste 34137, Italy. FAU - Giolo, Elena AU - Giolo E AD - Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste 34137, Italy. FAU - Luppi, Stefania AU - Luppi S AD - Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste 34137, Italy. FAU - Martinelli, Monica AU - Martinelli M AD - Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste 34137, Italy. FAU - Garcia, Rodolfo C AU - Garcia RC AD - International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, Trieste 34149, Italy. Electronic address: garciazucconi@gmail.com.