title: Protamine 2 precursors (Pre-P2), protamine 1 to protamine 2 ratio (P1/P2), and assisted reproduction outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the presence of protamine 2 precursors (pre-P2/P2 ratio) and the protamine 1 to protamine 2 ratio (P1/P2) are related to the assisted reproduction outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assisted Reproduction Unit and University laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred two infertile patients undergoing treatment at the Assisted Reproduction Unit of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and/or IVF treatment of the infertile patients, sperm protamine analysis through electrophoresis and densitometry, and pre-P2 analysis through Western blot.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence of protamine 2 precursors (pre-P2/P2 ratio), sperm P1/P2 ratio, fertilization rates by IVF and/or ICSI, and pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pre-P2/P2 and P1/P2 ratios are positively associated with the pregnancy rate. In addition, the P1/P2 ratio is positively associated with the proportion of embryos obtained by IVF, but not by ICSI. The pre-P2/P2 ratio was not related to the fertilization rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decreased pre-P2/P2 and P1/P2 ratios are related to a poor pregnancy outcome, but not with the proportion of embryos obtained after ISCI.
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Mateo
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gázquez
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guimerà
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balasch
authors.forename: Marvin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Meistrich
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ballescà
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oliva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011479:Protamines / Q000032:analysis*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D013076:Sperm Count; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C082073:PRM1 protein, human; D011479:Protamines; D011498:Protein Precursors; C068621:protamine 2; C069925:protamine P2 precursor