Decrease of topoisomerase I activity in the testes of infertile men with varicocele.
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.
Fujisawa
M
M
Department of Urology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.
Yoshida
S
S
Matsumoto
O
O
Kojima
K
K
Kamidono
S
S
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
D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I