Comparison between gene expression SPAG11A in process of spermatogenesis in infertile men who suffering from varicocele (grade 1-2) pre- and post-treatment

Background: Human sperm-associated antigen 11A (SPAG11A) gene is a member of the beta defensin family. This gene encodes SPAG11A protein, an epididymal protein, which interacts with the sperm surface, and is implicated in the sperm maturation and function. Varicocele, as one of the main causes of male infertility might cause a series of pathophysiological changes in the testis and epididymis, with an adverse effect on the environment for spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. It also leads to alterations in sperm characteristics and decrease in sperm parameters.Objective: To evaluate conventional sperm parameters and expression of SPAG11A mRNA in the spermatozoa of men with varicocele grade I and II before and after treatment.Materials and Methods: Twenty infertile men with varicocele grade I and II were enrolled in this study. Semen specimens were collected from subjects before and after varicocele treatment. Semen analysis was conducted in accordance with WHO guidelines. To assess the relative expression level of SPAG11A gene, total RNA was extracted for first-strand cDNA synthesis. Afterwards, the expression of SPAG11A mRNA was determined by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The data were analyzed by Student’s t test and Mann-Whitney U statistical method. P<0.05 was considered significant.Results: No significant differences were found between the subjects regarding conventional sperm parameters pre- and post-treatment (p> 0.05). However, the expression level of SPAG11A was significantly increased after treatment in comparison with its expression before treatment (p<0.05).Conclusion: From the obtained data it could be concluded that the SPAG11A gene expression may be affected by varicocele. With respect to the remarkable role of SPAG11A protein in sperm epididymal maturation, it appears that varicocele treatment would be a good strategy to reduce adverse effect of this clinical problem on expression of SPAG11A.

Keywords:

SPAG11A , Beta defensin , Varicocele , Epididymis , Quantitative real time PCR