Increased rates of apoptosis in teratozooapermia [Aumento das taxas de apoptose nos espermatozóides do sémen na teratozoospermia]

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Almeida C (Author) Other; cardoso, mf (Author) ICBAS; sousa, m (Author) ICBAS; Viana, P (Author) Other; Goncalves, A (Author) Other; Sousa, S (Author) Other; Silva, J (Author) Other; barros, a (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Arquivos de Medicina

Vol. 18

Pages: 237-240+307

ISSN: 0871-3413

Publisher: A E F M U P, Alameda prof. H. Montiero

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-E17

Abstract (EN): Introduction: Apoptosis is responsible for the adjustment of the number of diploid germ cells to the support capacity of Sertoli cells, being increased in cases of testicular pathology. However, it remains unknown if a relationship exists between the rate of apoptosis and the quality of spermatozoa in the ejaculate. Methods: We included 23 males, 6 with normal seminal parameters and 17 with teratozoospermia. Two sperm fractions were analyzed, one from the total semen after liquefaction (semen fraction) and another from processed semen after gradient centrifugation and swim-up (swim-up fraction). After incubation with a caspase-3 profluorogenic substrate, fractions were quantified by immunofluorescence in a total of 46,645 spermatozoa, 23,997 in the semen fractions and 22 648 in the swim-up fractions. The statistical analysis was performed by logistic regression models (Odd ratios with confidence interval of 99%). Results: A significant decrease in the number of sperm with active caspase-3 was found after sperm processing. In relation to controls, we observed an increased risk for the presence of active caspase-3 in the swim-up fractions from patients with teratozoospermia. Conclusion: The significant increase in the number of spermatozoa with active caspase-3 from teratozoospermic semen samples suggests that apoptosis is triggered by morphological abnormalities during spermiogenesis or sperm maturation. ©ArquiMed, 2004.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific