Evaluation of and transcript contents in spermatozoa from men with asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia.

Background And Aims: Motility and morphological defects of spermatozoa can cause male infertility. Sperm RNAs are related to sperm quality. They are considered to have clinical values as a biomarker for assessing sperm quality and fertility potential. The annulus, located in the mammalian sperm tail, is required for motility and terminal differentiation of the spermatozoa. SEPT2, 4, 6, 7, and 12 proteins are the main components of the annulus in the sperm tail. The study aimed to evaluate and mRNA contents in the spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia.

Methods: We evaluated transcript levels of and in the sperm samples of 20 asthenozoospermic, 20 teratozoospermic, and 20 normozoospermic samples using quantitative PCR.

Results: The transcript level was significantly decreased in the asthenozoospermia samples compared with the normal group ( = .013). However, was not significantly different between these two groups. The transcript levels of and were not statistically different between teratozoospermic and normozoospermic groups.

Conclusion: In conclusion, downregulation of in patients with asthenozoospermia appears to be associated with poor sperm motility.