Evaluation of Fas positive sperm and complement mediated lysis in subfertile individuals.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of Fas receptor on surface of sperm, as an apoptotic marker, using flow cytometry and confirming the results using an antibody-antigen complex through the classic complement pathway.


METHODS
Semen samples were obtained from 10 fertile and 73 infertile individuals with diagnoses of male factor infertility. Expressions of Fas receptor and phosphatidyl serine on sperm were assessed by flow cytometry. Fas expression was further assessed by antibody-antigen complex through the complement pathway. Lysis was detected via PI (propidium iodide) staining.


RESULTS
The mean Fas expression was considerably lower than previously reported values. No significant differences in the percentage of PI were detected before and after activation of the classic complement pathway. Annexin V positive samples showed low Fas expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results have confirmed the presence of selected apoptotic markers such as Fas or phosphatidyl serine on ejaculate sperm, but suggest that Fas expression is low. Further studies are required to investigate the "abortive apoptosis" mechanism through Fas/Fas L.
Soleimani
Maryam
M
Department of Anatomy, Isfahan Medical University, Isfahan, Iran.
Tavalaee
Marziyeh
M
Aboutorabi
Roshanak
R
Adib
Minoo
M
Bahramian
Hamid
H
Janzamin
Ehsan
E
Kiani
Abbas
A
Nasr-Esfahani
Mohammad Hossein
MH
D000818:Animals; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016923:Cell Death; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
D017304:Annexin A5; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D019014:fas Receptor; D003165:Complement System Proteins