Histone H4 acetylation and AZFc involvement in germ cells of specimens of impaired spermatogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To measure histone-H4 acetylation and involvement of the AZFc region in testicular mixed atrophy.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University-affiliated medical center.


METHODS
Azoospermic men (n = 23) who underwent testicular sperm extraction and preparation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) divided into obstructive azoospermia with complete spermatogenesis (group A), testicular mixed atrophy (group B), and testicular mixed atrophy associated with AZFc deletion (group C).


METHODS
Testicular biopsy evaluation by Western blotting and quantitative immunohistochemistry of histone-H4 hyperacetylation (Hypac-H4) and lysine-12 acetylation (Lys12ac-H4).


METHODS
Percentage of spermatogonia and spermatids stained by Hypac-H4 and Lys12ac-H4 antibodies in retrieved specimens.


RESULTS
The percentage of spermatogonia stained for Hypac-H4 and Lys12ac-H4 in groups B and C was statistically significantly reduced. The percentage of elongated spermatids showing positive staining to Hypac-H4 was statistically significantly lower in group B than group A. The percentage of Lys12ac-H4-labeled spermatids was similar for all groups. Hypac-H4 and Lys12ac-H4 processes were highly correlated in spermatogonia but not in spermatids.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduced percentage of spermatogonia with Hypac-H4 and Lys12ac-H4 in groups B and C may contribute to lower sperm production in mixed atrophy. Spermatids Hypac-H4 impairment in mixed atrophy did not deteriorate further by AZFc region deletion.
Kleiman
Sandra E
SE
Institute for the Study of Fertility, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. ser@tasmc.health.gov.il
Bar-Shira Maymon
Batia
B
Hauser
Ron
R
Botchan
Amnon
A
Paz
Gedalia
G
Yavetz
Haim
H
Yogev
Leah
L
D001284:Atrophy; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D001706:Biopsy; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D056426:Genetic Loci; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013087:Spermatids / Q000473:pathology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology
D006657:Histones; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases