title: Proteomic analysis of seminal plasma in adolescents with and without varicocele.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare proteomic profiles of seminal plasma from adolescents with varicocele and changes in semen quality with the plasma from adolescents with varicocele without seminal changes and from adolescents without varicocele.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients in an academic research environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adolescents without varicocele (control group), adolescents with varicocele and normal semen quality (VNS group), adolescents with varicocele and abnormal semen quality (VAS group).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two semen collections at 1-week interval. Protein separation by two-dimensional protein electrophoresis, analysis by gel densitometry, and identification by mass spectrometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overexpressed proteins in each group, observed by increased densitometric signal in gels, and exclusively identified proteins in each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were observed among the three groups regarding clinical parameters. In semen analysis, the VAS group presented lower sperm concentration, motility, and morphology compared with the VNS and control groups. Forty-seven protein spots of interest were submitted to mass spectrometry identification. Apoptosis regulation proteins were overexpressed in the VAS group, whereas spermatogenesis proteins were overexpressed in the VNS group. Controls presented proteins related to homeostasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in the proteomic profile of adolescents with varicocele and normal semen parameters (VNS group) indicate that normal semen analysis may not reflect alterations in proteins in seminal plasma. Implementation of proteomics will help characterize proteins identified in seminal plasma and will facilitate detection of new proteins associated with spermatogenesis and sperm function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: dsz.danielsz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daniel Suslik
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Zylbersztejn
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cassio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andreoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Toni
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Del Giudice
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Deborah Montagnini
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Spaine
authors.affiliation: School of National Service for Industrial Training, R. Moreira de Godoi, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borsari
authors.affiliation: Waters Corporation, MS Applications and Development Laboratory, Alphaville, Barueri, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo H M F
authors.initials: GHMF
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Pimenta
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Bertolla
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fraietta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D040901:Proteomics; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014646:Varicocele / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology