Semen preparation methods and PLC-ζ expression

Background: Phospholipase C zeta (PLC-ζ), is considered as a biomarker of sperm fertilizing capacity. The PLC-ζ has been identified as a critical mediator of Oocyte activation. It is believed that some types of male infertility are caused by reduced protein expression levels and abnormal forms of PLC-ζ. The present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of gradient and swim-up, either alone or in combination to select sperm with higher PLC-ζ expression.Objective: The present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of gradient and swim-up, either alone or in combination to select sperm with higher PLC-ζ expression.Materials and Methods: A total of 30 subjects visiting the Andrology Unit of University infertility clinic with normozoospermic parameters oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia were included. Semen characteristics were analyzed by standard criteria. Then, PLC-ζ protein expression was assessed by quantitative Immunofluorescence in sperms after processing by gradient, swim-up, either alone or in combination.Results: PLC-ζ content after sperm processing was significantly higher in normozoospermic (p<0.05), oligozoospermic (p<0.001) and teratozoospermic samples (p<0.01). Spermatozoa selected by 3 different methods were investigated and compared according to PLC-ζ content. DGC + swim-up combination significantly increased the proportion of spermatozoa with PLC-ζ expression (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the DGC and swim-up procedures (p> 0.05).Conclusion: Sperm preparation by combination gradient and swim-up has been found to results in enrichment of sperm with higher PLC-ζ expression.

Keywords:

Phospholipase C zeta , Semen preparation , Sperm