Expression profiles of the DAZ gene family in human testis with and without spermatogenic failure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression profiles of the DAZ gene family in men with and without spermatogenic failure.


METHODS
Prospective case study.


METHODS
University-based reproductive clinics and genetics laboratory.


METHODS
Thirty-four infertile men presenting with azoospermia.


METHODS
The mRNA transcript concentrations of the DAZ family genes (BOULE, DAZL, DAZ) and the housekeeping GAPDH gene in the testes of azoospermic men were examined by quantitative competitive-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (QC-RT-PCR). The steady-state concentrations of mRNA encoding for each gene in each testicular sample were normalized by the amounts of GAPDH.


METHODS
Transcript ratios (gene/GAPDH) of BOULE, DAZL, and DAZ.


RESULTS
The transcript ratios for BOULE, DAZL, and DAZ were significantly decreased in tissues with spermatogenic failure (hypospermatogenesis, maturation arrest, and Sertoli cell-only). However, the ratios of BOULE/DAZL and DAZ/DAZL did not reveal any significant difference in all tissues. Three patients with DAZ deletion possess lower transcripts of BOULE and DAZL.


CONCLUSIONS
All members of the DAZ gene family play important roles in human spermatogenesis. Decreased concentrations of DAZ family members in men with spermatogenic failure may be due to the secondary effect of germ cell loss, and transcriptional control of BOULE, DAZL, and DAZ are not altered in the various degrees of spermatogenic failure. Although the sample size is limited, no compensatory increase of DAZL or BOULE transcription was found in men with DAZ deletion.
Kuo
Pao-Lin
PL
National Cheng Kung University, College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan. paolink@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Wang
Shan-Tair
ST
Lin
Yung-Ming
YM
Lin
Ying-Hung
YH
Teng
Yen-Ni
YN
Hsu
Chao-Chin
CC
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000075364:Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D005810:Multigene Family; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
C481351:BOLL protein, human; C095668:DAZ1 protein, human; C101358:DAZL protein, human; D000075364:Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins