title: Levels of Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 in normozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic men and its association with motility, fertilization rate, embryo quality and pregnancy rate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the expression profiles of Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 motility proteins in the spermatozoa of normozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic men and determine its correlation with sperm motility, fertilization rate, embryo quality and pregnancy rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 protein expression was studied using Western Blotting and immunofluorescence. Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 protein levels were quantified by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oligoasthenozoospermic men were found to have lower fertilization rates, poor embryo quality and lower pregnancy rates as compared to normozoospermic men. The levels of Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 are significantly lower in spermatozoa of oligoasthenozoospermic men as compared to normozoospermic controls; the levels were also lower in immotile fraction as compared to motile fraction of spermatozoa obtained from normozoospermic individuals. The levels of Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 were higher in individuals demonstrating sperm motility >60 % as compared to sperm motility <30 %. Tektin 2 but not CatSper 2 levels were positively associated with fertilization rate, embryo quality and pregnancy rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levels of Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 proteins are positively associated with sperm motility parameters. Measurements of Tektin 2 levels can be correlated with the clinical outcome of ICSI.
authors.affiliation: Jaslok Hospital, 15, Dr G Deshmukh Marg, Mumbai - 26, India.
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhilawadikar
authors.forename: Kusum
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zaveri
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mukadam
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naik
authors.forename: Ketan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamble
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Indira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hinduja
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008868:Microtubule Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C482695:CATSPER2 protein, human; D015220:Calcium Channels; D008868:Microtubule Proteins; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins; C044103:tektins