Effect of vitamin D on the level of sperm-specific glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDS) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in human sperm

Background: Some studies indicated that vitamin D is involved in many functions of the reproductive system. In addition, researches have reported a positive correlation of vitamin D concentrations with semen quality, but the specific mechanisms of vitamin D are not elucidated. Since GAPDS and HSP70 are effectivein semen quality, this study evaluated the effect of vitamin D on the level of GAPDS and HSP70 in human sperm.Methods: The study was carried out on semen of 8 fertile men who referred to IVF clinic of Imam hospital in Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical School. Samples were processed for swimming up. Supernatant was divided into two groups, one as control and another one had received 100 microliter of vitamin D as experimental group for 1 hour ,then the level of GAPDS and HSP70 proteins were evaluated by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. The SPSS 23 program was used for statistical analysis.Result: The immunocytochemistry results revealed that the amount of GAPDS and HSP70 protein were significantly higher in treated group with vitamin D. About GAPDS, number of high staining density cells are 50.88±6.64 in treated group and 26.00±3.89 in control group (P-value=0.01) and low staining densities were 39.75±5.28 and 58.38±4.47 (P-value=0.01) in treated and control group, respectively . About HSP70, high staining density cells were in treated group 47.13±10.60 versus 29.25±10.19 in control group with P-value=0.03 and low staining density were in treated 42.62±7.90 and in control group 55.13±6.87 (P-value=0.03). At now, the result of western blotting showed that these proteins are higher in treated group but the experiment is not yet over.Conclusion: According to data, the level of GAPDS and HSP70 increased after incubation with vitamin D so, maybe this vitamin can improve sperm quality by GAPDS and HSP70 proteins.

Keywords:

GAPDS , HSP70 , Sperm quality , Vitamin D