title: Decrease of topoisomerase I activity in the testes of infertile men with varicocele.
abstract: Topoisomerase I, which is involved in DNA metabolism, was measured in the testes of 37 infertile men with varicocele, using a minute amount of testicular biopsy specimen. In 38% of infertile men topoisomerase I activity was lower than that of normal men. Forty-six percent of patients with high grade varicocele (grade III) showed reduced topoisomerase I activity, while only 26% of patients with low grade varicocele (grades I and II) showed reduced levels of topoisomerase I. Johnsen's score of the patients with low topoisomerase I activity was lower than that of patients with normal levels of topoisomerase I. The decrease of topoisomerase I activity may be correlated with at least some fraction of hypospermatogenesis associated with varicocele.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujisawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamidono
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000378:metabolism; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I