The expression pattern of SEPT7 correlates with sperm morphology.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression pattern of the SEPT7 protein during spermatogenesis and its potential role in sperm function.


METHODS
We first investigated the expression pattern of SEPT7 during different steps of mouse spermiogenesis using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). IFA was also applied to study the expression pattern of SEPT7 in human ejaculated spermatozoa. Nine fertile men with normal semen parameters were used as the control group, and 21 infertile men with asthenozoospermia were recruited as the patient group. We assessed the frequency of the SEPT7 signal in the various morphological subgroups.


RESULTS
In humans, the frequency of a defective SEPT7 signal was significantly increased in men with asthenozoospermia. The absence of a SEPT7 signal was more prevalent in sperm containing morphological defects of various types.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression pattern of SEPT7 suggested that this protein may be involved in the regulation of subcellular-compartment formation during spermiogenesis in the mouse. The absence of a SEPT7 signal correlated with multiple sperm defects.
Chao
Hsin-Chih Albert
HC
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine and Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan. chao531018@hotmail.com
Lin
Ying-Hung
YH
Kuo
Yung-Che
YC
Shen
Chiung-Jiung
CJ
Pan
Hsian-Ann
HA
Kuo
Pao-Lin
PL
D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D055101:Semen Analysis; D058112:Septins; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; C113158:SEPTIN7 protein, human; C512895:Sept7 protein, mouse; D058112:Septins