Aneuploidy Rate, DNA Fragmentation, Tubulin and Centrin Content in Different Groups of Male Infertility

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to compare DNA fragmentation ratios, centrosomal protein concentrations (centrin and tubulin) and numerical chromosomal abnormalities between four groups including asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia and normozoospermia patients, and to emphasize the necessity of investigating genetic and protein content of the spermatozoa also in patients with a semen analysis within normal reference range. Evaluation of semen analysis of the patients was performed based on WHO 2010 criteria. As a result of the statistical analysis, it was observed that the sperm DNA fragmentation rate in the normozoospermia group (6.50 ± 3.46%) was significantly lower than those in the teratozoospermia (19.69 ± 9.86%) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia group (32.47± 14.13%) (p<0.001). For centrin and tubulin proteins, highest concentrations were observed in normozospermia group (p<0.05). When incidence of numerical abnormalities were compared between four groups, it was found that there were statistically significant differences between groups in terms of nullisomies X, Y and 13, and  21 (p<0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that abnormalities in semen parameters seem to be associated with chromosomal abnormalities; and sperm aneuploidy rate is also at a considerable level even in normozoospermic patients.

Keywords: DNA fragmentation, teratozoospermia, centrin, tubulin

DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/68-04

Publication date:September 30^th 2020