Association of spermatogenic failure with decreased CDC25A expression in infertile men.
BACKGROUND
DAZ gene family is crucial for human spermatogenesis that requires the precise co-ordination of cell cycle events. CDC25A is recognized as the downstream substrate of DAZ gene family and is thought to function on the M-phase regulation of cell cycles. We investigated the expression profiles of CDC25A in the testes of infertile men and evaluated the relationship between CDC25A levels and testicular phenotype, clinical hormonal parameters and sperm retrieval results.


METHODS
The protein and mRNA transcript levels of CDC25A in the testes of 40 azoospermic men were determined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time-PCR. CDC25A in human spermatozoa was investigated by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining.


RESULTS
The CDC25A protein was expressed mainly in spermatocyte, spermatid and spermatozoa. CDC25A transcript levels were significantly decreased (P = 0.0009) in patients with spermatogenic failure, especially in men with meiotic arrest and Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Significantly higher CDC25A transcript levels were detected in patients with successful sperm retrieval than in patients with failed sperm retrieval (P = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased CDC25A is associated with spermatogenic failure and failed sperm retrieval in infertile men. Further studies are necessary to explore the functional roles of CDC25A in human spermatozoa.
Cheng
Yu Sheng
YS
Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Kuo
Pao Lin
PL
Teng
Yen Ni
YN
Kuo
Ting Yi
TY
Chung
Chia Ling
CL
Lin
Ying Hung
YH
Liao
Rui Wen
RW
Lin
Johnny Shinn Nan
JS
Lin
Yung Ming
YM
D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia; D002453:Cell Cycle; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D020687:cdc25 Phosphatases / Q000502:physiology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C517004:CDC25A protein, human; D020687:cdc25 Phosphatases