title: Differential RNAs in the sperm cells of asthenozoospermic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alterations in RNAs present in sperm have been identified using microarrays in teratozoospermic patients and in other types of infertile patients. However, so far, there have been no reports on using microarrays to determine the RNA content of sperm from asthenozoospermic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We started the present project with the goal of characterizing the RNA abundance in the sperm cells of asthenozoospermic patients when compared with controls. To reach this objective, we initially selected four normal fertile donors and four asthenozoospermic infertile patients. Equal amounts of RNA were extracted from the sperm samples, subjected to different quality controls and hybridized to the Affymetrix U133 Plus version 2 arrays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several transcripts were identified that were present in different abundance in patients compared with controls. Subsequently, we validated the differential expression of three of the detected transcripts (ANXA2, BRD2 and OAZ3), using real-time PCR in a larger set of samples. A positive correlation between the expression of these transcripts and progressive motility was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sperm cells of asthenozoospermic patients contain an altered amount of some RNAs as detected using microarray analysis and subsequently validated using real-time PCR. These results open up the possibility to investigate the implication of these genes in the pathogenic mechanisms in asthenozoospermia and to consider their potential utility as infertility biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Research Group, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic, C/Casanova 143, Barcelona 08036, Spain.
authors.forename: Meritxell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jodar
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalko
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Josep Lluís
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ballescà
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oliva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017306:Annexin A2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000235:genetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011479:Protamines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000092468:Bromodomain Containing Proteins
chemical_list: D017306:Annexin A2; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011479:Protamines; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C472822:ANXA2 protein, human; C098415:BRD2 protein, human; D000092468:Bromodomain Containing Proteins; C512464:OAZ3 protein, human