Evaluation of soluble Fas as an apoptotic marker in male infertility

ABSTRACT

Inappropriate male germ cell apoptosis is associated with pathological conditions such as infertility Apoptosis is a key phenomenon in the control of sperm production. Fas is widely expressed glycosylated type transmembrane protein which has been suggested to play a role in regulating testicular germ cell apoptosis. A soluble isoforms of Fas [SFas/CD95] are lacking parts of the transmembrane domain generated by alternative mRNA splicing. These soluble molecules may regulate Fas mediated apoptosis. Our aim was to investigate the possible role of s Fas in regulation of germ cell apoptosis and its significance in male infertility. The seminal plasma levels of sFas and alpha glucosidase were measured using ELISA, and spectrophotometer respectively in 75 semen samples which were grouped into 6 groups [one fertile and five infertile] according to the criteria of WHO. There were a statistically significant [p < 0.001] increases in the levels of sFas in all studied infertile groups, while there were significant decreases [p<0.001] in alpha-glucosidase levels in the same infertile groups when compared with normozoospermia. There were significant negative correlations between sFas and sperm concentration, grade [A] motility, velocity, linear velocity, linearity index, normal morphology and alpha glucosidase activity. There were significant positive correlation between sFas and grade [D] motility. Receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve was done to use sFas as a discrimination marker between fertile and infertile groups. From this study we concluded that the detection of sFas in seminal plasma could pro- vide additional information about the biochemical integrity of sperm and may be used in future studies from assessment of fertilization failures particularly in round head syndrome. In fact, these new hypotheses as regards apoptosis in male infertility need to be fatherly investigated to determine whether the opportunities of fered by modulation of apoptotic cell death will lead to new treatment approaches