title: The POLG Gene Polymorphism in Iranian Varicocele-Associated Infertility Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Varicocele is associated with impaired testicular function and male infertility, but the molecular mechanisms by which fertility is affected have not been satisfactorily explained. The aim of our study was to investigate whether or not the polymerase gamma (POLG) polymorphism is associated with Iranian varicocele patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined the POLG CAG repeat length in DNA samples extracted from 40 varicocele patients and 30 control subjects by PCR-denature polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sequencing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distribution of the CAG repeat length in varicocele patients showed no notable difference from that in control subjects, but we found a significant statistical inverse correlation between 10/10 and 10/#10 genotypes and varicocele grade.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that POLG CAG repeats may affects the varicocele grade, but the mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Science School, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Mehdi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Heidari
authors.forename: Mehri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khatami
authors.forename: Ali Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Talebi
keywords: CAG repeats length; Infertility; Mitochondria; POLG gene; Varicocele