Chromosomal aneuploidies and DNA fragmentation of human spermatozoa from patients exposed to perfluorinated compounds.
This study investigated chromosomal aneuploidies and DNA damage in spermatozoa from male patients contaminated by perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in whole blood and seminal plasma. Sperm aneuploidy and diploidy rate for chromosomes 18, X and Y were evaluated by FISH; sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling technique coupled to flow cytometry. Our results indicated that PFC contamination was present in 58% of subjects included in the study. A significant increase in alterations of sperm parameters was observed in PFC-positive subjects compared to PFC-negative subjects. As regards the sperm aneuploidy, both disomy and diploidy rates resulted significantly increased in subjects positive for PFC contamination compared to PFC-negative samples. In addition, sperm DNA fragmentation index resulted significantly increased in PFC-contaminated subjects compared to PFC-non-contaminated subjects, with a significant increased level of dimmer DNA fragmentation index. Our results clearly indicate that PFC contamination may detrimentally affect spermatogenesis, disturbing both meiotic segregation and DNA integrity. We could therefore suggest cautions to reduce or eliminate any contact with these compounds because the long-term effects of PFC accumulation in the body are not predictable.
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.|Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Couple Sterility, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.
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Governini
Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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Guerranti
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.|Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Couple Sterility, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.
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De Leo
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.|Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Couple Sterility, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.
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Boschi
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.|Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Couple Sterility, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.
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Luddi
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.|Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Couple Sterility, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.
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Gori
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Infertility & IVF Unit, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
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Orvieto
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.|Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Couple Sterility, S. Maria alle Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.
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Piomboni
D000328:Adult; D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000782:Aneuploidy; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002210:Caprylates / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 / Q000235:genetics; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X / Q000235:genetics; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004171:Diploidy; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000235:genetics; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013094:Spermatozoa
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D002210:Caprylates; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C023036:perfluorooctanoic acid; C076994:perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
DNA fragmentation; FISH; PFC contamination; TUNEL; male infertility