• PMID: 26725070
• Gene Name: S100A12
• Condition: Male infertility, varicocele
• Association: Results of this study showed that the seminal levels of S100A12 were significantly increased in infertile men with varicocele when compared to fertile controls
• Population size: 136
• Population details: 136 (68 infertile men with varicocele, 68 healthy fertile controls)
• Age: 30-45 years
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Other associated phenotypes: Male infertility, varicocele

Elevated levels of S100A12 in the seminal plasma of infertile men with varicocele

Bagheri V, Hassanshahi G, Zeinali M, Abedinzadeh M, Khorramdelazad H.

PURPOSE: Varicocele is among the leading causes of male infertility. Despite decades of research, its pathogenesis is still unclear. S100A12 is a member of the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins with principal extracellular activities. It is secreted by activated neutrophils and interacts with the multiligand receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Many studies have delineated the patterns of S100A12 expression in a variety of pathologic conditions. These data show that S100A12 could be a potentially useful inflammatory marker. To explore the relationship between S100A12 and infertility, we examined the amount of S100A12 in semen of infertile men who suffered from varicocele. METHODS: S100A12 levels in seminal plasma of 68 infertile men with varicocele (age range 30-45 years) and 68 healthy fertile controls were measured using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using both parametric and nonparametric tests. RESULTS: Results of this study showed that the seminal levels of S100A12 were significantly increased in infertile men with varicocele when compared to fertile controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Because of the important role(s) of these molecules in inflammatory response of cell systems, it could be possible that the spermatozoa motility is reduced following increasing neutrophils, S100A12, and reactive oxygen species in semen of infertile patients with varicocele. S100 proteins seem to be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for male infertility. FAU - Bagheri, Vahid AU - Bagheri V AD - Molecular Medicine Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. FAU - Hassanshahi, Gholamhossein AU - Hassanshahi G AD - Molecular Medicine Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. FAU - Zeinali, Masoud AU - Zeinali M AD - Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. FAU - Abedinzadeh, Mehdi AU - Abedinzadeh M AD - Department of Urology, Shahid Rahnemoon Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.