title: Apoptosis-related phenotype of ejaculated spermatozoa in patients with varicocele.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the integrity of the sperm plasma membrane, mitochondria, and DNA, which are essential for accurate transmission of genetic material to offspring, and to quantify possible apoptosis and investigate any relationship between these parameters in ejaculated sperm from men with or without varicoceles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients with varicocele and 10 normal, fertile controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Apoptosis-related phenotype activations including the plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine, mitochondrial dysfunction, and nuclear DNA damage, were assessed by using the annexin-V/propidium iodide double staining assay, 3,3'-dihexloxacarbocyanine iodide staining assay, and single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay).
  
  
  METHODS
  Apoptosis-related phenotype.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with varicocele had statistically significantly more annexin V live sperm cells and nuclear DNA fragmentation than did the control men. In contrast, their numbers of 3,3'-dihexloxacarbocyanine iodide live cells were statistically significantly less than those in control men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased externalization of phosphatidylserine, mitochondrial dysfunction, and nuclear DNA damage occurred in the sperm of men with varicoceles, suggesting that certain apoptotic mechanisms may relate to the condition of varicocele, originating in the mitochondria of spermatocytes and then functioning within the nucleus of the cell.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. gwojang@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Gwo-Jang
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Fung-Wei
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shang-Sen
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ya-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chi-Huang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: I-Ching
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004542:Ejaculation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D010718:Phosphatidylserines