title: TAT-peroxiredoxin 2 Fusion Protein Supplementation Improves Sperm Motility and DNA Integrity in Sperm Samples from Asthenozoospermic Men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We compared levels of peroxiredoxin 2 in semen samples from normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men. The potential effects of TAT-peroxiredoxin 2 fusion protein on sperm motility and DNA integrity were also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semen samples were obtained from 50 normozoospermic and 50 asthenozoospermic men. Lipid peroxidation of semen was determined using a commercial malondialdehyde kit. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated by TUNEL assay. Western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the amount of peroxiredoxin 2 protein in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Sperm motility, DNA damage and levels of reactive oxygen species were evaluated after TAT-peroxiredoxin 2 fusion protein supplementation to the sperm suspension for 2 and 12 hours of incubation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In asthenozoospermic semen samples a significantly higher level of malondialdehyde and DNA damage was discovered. However, the expression of peroxiredoxin 2 was significantly lower in seminal plasma and spermatozoa compared with that of normozoospermic men. TAT-peroxiredoxin 2 fusion protein was successfully prepared and delivered to the spermatozoa. Interestingly adding TAT-peroxiredoxin 2 in asthenozoospermic sperm suspension effectively defended against the decrease in progressive motility and the increase in DNA damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that supplementation of TAT-peroxiredoxin 2 fusion protein in the sperm suspension from asthenozoospermic men effectively improved sperm motility and DNA integrity by reducing levels of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, we speculate that peroxiredoxin 2 may have an important role as an antioxidant defense in semen and would provide new prevention and therapy alternatives for asthenozoospermia.
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital/Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital/Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital/Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wen T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital/Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital/Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital/Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiao F
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital/Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yan W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Yantai Yu Huang Ding Hospital/Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China; College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: yanlichn@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054464:Peroxiredoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015696:Gene Products, tat; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D054464:Peroxiredoxins
keywords: asthenozoospermia; gene products; oxidative stress; peroxiredoxins; tat