Title: Sperm samples (SS) from infertile patients (IP) undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) show profound different expression profiles (EP)
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Basic SS analysis has limited predictive power to forecast pregnancy in assisted reproductive techniques.The aim of our work is to use microarray technology to characterize differential gene expression profiles (EP) between D SS vs. IM and compare our results with the current knowledge of genes implicated in RP.DESIGN: SS were obtained from IM (n¼5), and D (n¼5), both groups presenting normal sperm (Sp) under WHO criteria thresholds.Transcript profile from both groups was assessed by CodeLink microarrays with 55000 reporters.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sp mRNA was extracted using Trizol protocol.RNAs were analyzed on Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100.Those GDE expressed 2-fold, with statistically significant differences between P and NP SS, were systematically searched within the specific GO terms list related to RP: acrosome formation and reaction, binding of Sp to zona pellucida, copulation, embryo implantation and development, female pregnancy, fertilization, fusion of Sp to egg plasma membrane, male gamete and gamete generation, genitalia, germ cell, gonad placental and spermatid development, insemination, matting, reproduction, Sp competition and motility, Sp chromatin condensation, Sp egg recognition and spermatogenesis.GO terms describe gene products depending of their associated biological processes in different steps (www.geneontology.org).RESULTS: 1662 GDE were found in group D 1568 in group IM.38 genes were found to be associated to RP in group D (i.e.SEMG1, SPAG6, ODF1, SORD, SOX15, ADAM21 and SERPINA5). 1 gene was found to be already associated to RP in group IM (PSG6 (produced in high quantity during pregnancy)).CONCLUSIONS: This work reveals profound differences between EP from D vs. IM and the lack of information about RP since only few genes from an initial list of almost 3000 have been to date described to be involved in RP.Further knowledge of the molecular basis of Sp physiology is needed in order to improve diagnostic and therapeutic efficiency of Sp analysis.