Down-regulation of DJ-1 protein in the ejaculated spermatozoa from Chinese asthenozoospermia patients

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 96; no. 1; pp. 19 - 23.e2
• Main Authors: An, Chun-Na, M.S, Jiang, Hui, M.D, Wang, Qi, M.S, Yuan, Ren-Pei, M.B, Liu, Jian-Ming, M.M, Shi, Wan-Lu, B.S, Zhang, Zi-Yu, B.S, Pu, Xiao-Ping, Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - ethnology; asthenozoospermia; Asthenozoospermia - ethnology; Asthenozoospermia - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; correlation; DJ-1; Down-Regulation - physiology; Ejaculation - physiology; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Internal Medicine; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - antagonists & inhibitors; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; isoelectric focusing; isoelectric point; Male; male fertility; male infertility; Medical sciences; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Oncogene Proteins - antagonists & inhibitors; Oncogene Proteins - biosynthesis; Oncogene Proteins - metabolism; patients; Protein Deglycase DJ-1; sperm motility; Sperm Motility - physiology; spermatozoa; Spermatozoa - enzymology; Spermatozoa - metabolism; Sterility. Assisted procreation; superoxide dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; toxic substances; Western blotting; Asia; China; asthenozoospermia; DJ-1; male infertility; superoxide dismutase; Human; Spermatozoa; Enzyme; Gynecology; Superoxide dismutase; Obstetrics; Semen disorders; Protein; Regulation(control); Male sterility; Oxidoreductases; Asthenospermia; Male genital diseases
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.04.048

Objective To determine whether the expression of DJ-1 protein, whose levels in spermatozoa have been reported to be highly correlated with male infertility caused by toxicants, is changed in spermatozoa of Chinese asthenozoospermia patients. Design DJ-1 measurement by Western blotting, quantitive ELISA, and isoelectric-focusing electrophoresis (IFE) combined with immunoblotting. Setting Academic medical center and research laboratories. Patient(s) Asthenozoospermia patients (n = 113), including mild asthenozoospermia patients (n = 70) and moderate asthenozoospermia patients (n = 43), and age-matched control subjects (n = 58). Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) DJ-1 in spermatozoa was determined by Western blotting and ELISA, the isoelectric point (pI) of DJ-1 by IFE combined with immunoblotting, and sperm superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by an assay kit. Result(s) The sperm DJ-1 concentration in moderate asthenozoospermia patients was lower than those in mild asthenozoospermia patients and control subjects. DJ-1 with a more acidic pI was increased in asthenozoospermia patients. Sperm SOD activity was decreased in asthenozoospermia patients. Conclusion(s) DJ-1 levels are reduced in moderate asthenozoospermia patients. DJ-1 concentration is positively correlated with sperm motility and sperm SOD activity indicated by partial correlation analysis.