• PMID: 25792659
• Gene Name: CASP3
• Condition: Oligozoospermic, asthenozoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic and cryptozoospermic, Male infertility
• Association: A significant relationship was found between caspase-3 activation and increased DNA fragmentation
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Oligozoospermic, asthenozoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic and cryptozoospermic, Male infertility

Molecular evidence of apoptotic pathway activation in semen samples with high DNA fragmentation

Manente L, Pecoraro S, Picillo E, Gargiulo U, Gargiulo P, De Luca A, Politano L.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Male infertility is diagnosed by semen parameters, such as concentration, motility and morphology; however, these are not sufficient for the prediction of male fertility capacity. In the clinical routine, several other sperm functions have been introduced, including the sperm DNA fragmentation test. The objective of the present study was to evaluate sperm chromatin integrity in semen samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD) was used in ejaculates from men divided into five groups: normozoospermic, oligozoospermic, asthenozoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic and cryptozoospermic. RESULTS: The data obtained showed that the SCD percentage appeared to be significantly associated with oligozoospermia diagnosis. We also evaluated total testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and inhibin B serum hormonal levels in all samples examined, in order to assess whether DNA fragmentation increase could correlate with abnormal hormonal values. Finally we selected certain samples with an increasing DNA fragmentation and analyzed the molecular activated apoptotic pathways. CONCLUSION: A significant relationship was found between caspase-3 activation and increased DNA fragmentation. CI - Copyright © 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved. FAU - Manente, Lucrezia AU - Manente L AD - Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy l_manente@yahoo.it. FAU - Pecoraro, Stefano AU - Pecoraro S AD - Private Clinic Malzoni, Urologic Section, Avellino, Italy. FAU - Picillo, Esther AU - Picillo E AD - Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. FAU - Gargiulo, Umberto AU - Gargiulo U AD - Biodata s.r.l Clinical, Molecular and Genetics Laboratory, Salerno, Italy. FAU - Gargiulo, Paolo AU - Gargiulo P AD - Biodata s.r.l Clinical, Molecular and Genetics Laboratory, Salerno, Italy. FAU - De Luca, Antonio AU - De Luca A AD - Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Section of Human Anatomy, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.