Expression of the voltage-dependent anion channel gene in human ejaculated spermatozoa / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the genes involved in sperm motility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We hybridized asthenospermia and normal motile sperm cDNA samples with the human whole genome Affymetrix chip to screen differentially expressed genes. Then we detected the mRNA expressions of the voltage-dependent anion channel genes (VDACs) in human organs and spermatozoa by RT-PCR and compared their expressions in the poor and normal motility spermatozoa.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Differentially expressed genes VDACs were identified by analysis of the hybridization signals, including the 3 subtypes VDAC1, VDAC2 and VDAC3. The expression of VDAC2 mRNA was significantly decreased in the poor motility sperm (0.568 +/- 0.036), as compared with the healthy men (0.803 +/- 0.043, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The decreased expression of VDAC2 in the ejaculated spermatozoa is possibly associated with the reduction of sperm motility.</p>