[ role and effect of HSPA2 in male infertility]

The heat shock proteins [HSPs] are a group of homologous proteins encoded with a multigene family. They can be divided into five groups based on both size and function; including HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90 and HSP100. Expression of HSPs can be constitutive and can increased when cells undergo metabolic and/or heat stress. HSPA2/Hsp70-2 is a kind of HSP70 and constitutively expressed in testis. This protein is essential for sperm maturation and is associated with infertility. HSPA2 expression has been shown to occur in two phases in human testis; 1] meiosis as an element of the synaptonemal complex and 2] spermiogenesis durinat sperm maturation and is considesered as an index for matured sperm. Several functions have been proposed for HSPA2 protein in human testis including; protein folding, formation and desynapsis of synaptonemal complex, repair of DNA strand breaks, plasma membrane remodeling, and the removal of excess cytoplasm. Background literature suggests that HSPA2 play a key role in spermatogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this biological- medicine study was the evaluation of the role and effect of HSPA2 in male infertility

[Origins and evaluation of DNA damage in infertile individual]

Assisted reproductive techniques [ART] are considered as the first line of treatment in overcoming infertility. The scope of success of these methods depend on several factors including integrity of sperm and oocyte. Obviously, paternal genomic content has an important effect on fertilization potential in infertile couples. Thus, sperm DNA damage is a genomic disorder that exists in different degree in infertile men. Since the first reports on sperm DNA integrity, this subject has become the focus of numerous studies. It has been reported that individuals with high percentage of sperm DNA damage have lower sperm parameters and, fertilization rate. Therefore, this review is based on our current understanding of mechanisms involved in sperm DNA damage and also will describe different procedures for evaluation of sperm DNA damage

[ efficiency of Zeta method in separation of sperm with normal morphology and chromatin structure]

Selection of mature sperm with normal morphology and chromatin structure is needed for assisted reproduction technology [ART] procedures. At present, various sperm separation methods exist to select mature sperm. The selection of mature sperm based on electrical charge of membrane is one of these methods. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the Zeta potential for selection of normal sperm in term of morphology and chromatin structure integrity. In this descriptive-analytical study, semen samples from 70 infertile couples referring to Isfahan Fertility and Infertility center were evaluated. Semen analysis was carried out according to WHO criteria. The remaining of semen samples were used for Zeta method. Then Sperm morphology, protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation were assessed using papanicolaou staining, chromomycin A3 [CMA3] staining, and sperm chromatin dispersion [SCD] test, respectively. In addition, we compared the result of Zeta group with control group. Coefficients of correlation and paired-samples t-test were carried out using SPSS 11.5, to compare results among between two groups. The results of this study show that the mean of abnormal morphology, protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation were 88.19 +/- 7.37, 67.17 +/- 17.34, 32.87 +/- 8.65 in control group, and 80.17 +/- 10.26, 58.40 +/- 18.20, 18.19 +/- 8.64, in the Zeta group, respectively. Zeta group can decrease significantly the percentage of abnormal morphology, protamine deficiency and DNA fragmentation compared to control group [P<0.05]. Zeta method can be used in separation of mature sperm with normal morphology, normal protamine contained and intact DNA

Effects of acrosomal activity and morphology on fertilization rates following ICSI

Fertilization failures after ICSI may be due to different factors related to oocyte, sperm or both of them. Considering the importance of sperm morphology, acrosomal activity in oocyte activation and fertilization rates, this study was done to evaluate the relationship between a series of events occurring during spermiogenesis such as sperm morphology and acrosomal activity as an index for acrosomal integrity and the relationship between sperm ability to induce oocyte activation with fertilization rates following ICSI. Semen samples from 68 infertile couples undergoing ICSI at Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center were assessed. Some of each semen sample was analyzed for semen parameters according to WHO criteria, most of it was used for ICSI and the rest for Papanicolaou staining and gelatinolysis test to evaluate sperm morphology based on the strict criteria and acrosin activity respectively. The results were analyzed by SPSS software [Version 11.5] and correlation coefficient was determined. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results from gelatinolysis showed that the mean halo diameter had a significant positive correlation with sperm concentration [r=0.343, p=0.004], motility [r=0.282, p=0.020], sperm morphology according to the WHO criteria [r=-0.314, p=0.009], fertilization rate [r=0.270, p=0.026] and the percentage of halo formation [r=0.853, p=0.001]. The results of the study revealed that during ICSI, spermatozoa with small acrosome, which are likely to have reduced gelatinolysis test parameters [Smaller percentages of halos and smaller mean halo diameters], have lower fertilizing potential. As gelatinolysis test is considered as an index for acrosomal and perinuclear theca integrity, lower fertilizing ability in these spermatozoa could be likely due to their reduced levels of sperm associated oocyte activating factors [SAOAFs]. Therefore, studies for the identification and measurement of SAOAF levels in these kinds of spermatozoa are proposed