title: Sperm mitochondrial DNA depletion in men with asthenospermia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the content of sperm mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in patients with asthenospermia or with poor sperm motility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the content of mtDNA as the ratio between the amount of mtDNA and nuclear DNA by using a new concurrent polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital infertility center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six men who sought infertility therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Moving characteristics of sperm were examined with a computer-assisted semen analyzer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sperm samples were classified into two groups, one with asthenospermia and the other with normal moving characteristics. The content of mtDNA in sperm was determined by polymerase chain reaction. We analyzed the mitochondrial mass by MitoTracker Green staining and analyzed DNA content with propidium iodide staining by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A decrease in sperm mtDNA content was detected in patients with asthenospermia or with poor sperm motility (<20% motility). The relative mtDNA contents in the asthenospermia and normal groups were 7.2 +/- 1.3 (mean +/- SD, n = 23) and 74.1 +/- 2.0 (n = 29), respectively. Lower intensities of propidium iodide staining were detected in patients with asthenospermia or poor motility, but there was no significant difference in MitoTracker Green staining between the sperm with different motility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that mtDNA content may serve as a useful indicator of sperm quality and that mtDNA depletion may play an important role in the pathophysiology of some male infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Huei
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Hsiang-Tai
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Hwan-Wun
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tien-Lin
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Yau-Huei
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011419:Propidium; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D011419:Propidium; D004247:DNA