• PMID: 2847665
• Gene Name: TOP1
• Condition: Male infertility, varicocele
• Association: Associated
• Population size: 37
• Population details: 37 infertile men with varicocele
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Associated genes: Topoisomerase I
• Other associated phenotypes: Male infertility, varicocele

Decrease of topoisomerase I activity in the testes of infertile men with varicocele

Fujisawa M, Yoshida S, Matsumoto O, Kojima K, Kamidono S.

Topoisomerase I, which is involved in DNA metabolism, was measured in the testes of 37 infertile men with varicocele, using a minute amount of testicular biopsy specimen. In 38% of infertile men topoisomerase I activity was lower than that of normal men. Forty-six percent of patients with high grade varicocele (grade III) showed reduced topoisomerase I activity, while only 26% of patients with low grade varicocele (grades I and II) showed reduced levels of topoisomerase I. Johnsen's score of the patients with low topoisomerase I activity was lower than that of patients with normal levels of topoisomerase I. The decrease of topoisomerase I activity may be correlated with at least some fraction of hypospermatogenesis associated with varicocele. FAU - Fujisawa, M AU - Fujisawa M AD - Department of Urology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan. FAU - Yoshida, S AU - Yoshida S FAU - Matsumoto, O AU - Matsumoto O FAU - Kojima, K AU - Kojima K