title: Does detection of DDX4 mRNA in cell-free seminal plasma represents a reliable noninvasive germ cell marker in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia?
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the potential application of DDX4 gene expression in cell-free seminal mRNA as a noninvasive biomarker for the identification of the presence of germ cells in men with nonobstructive azoospermia and to correlate this factor with testicular biopsy. Male reproductive organ-specific genes were chosen: DDX4, which is a germ cell-specific gene and transglutaminase 4, which is a prostate-specific gene that was used as a control gene. Thirty-nine azoospermic males and twenty-eight normospermic fertile males (serving as a control group) participated in the study. Histopathological examination of testicular biopsies categorised azoospermic males into 20.5% with maturation arrest, 17.9% with incomplete Sertoli cell-only syndrome and 61.5% with complete Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, positivity for DDX4 gene was detected in 17 of 39 males with NOA which was due to maturation arrest in 35.3% (n = 6/17) of cases, due to incomplete Sertoli cell only in 23.5% (n = 4/17) and due to complete Sertoli cell only in 41.2% (n = 7/17). The study recommends joint utilisation of molecular transcripts as noninvasive biomarkers and histopathological examination of testicular biopsies in management of cases with azoospermia of the nonobstructive type.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Pathology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hashad
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abdelmaksoud
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hashad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C418702:transglutaminase 4; D011503:Transglutaminases; C498288:DDX4 protein, human; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases
keywords: azoospermia; free seminal mRNA; marker; nonobstructive