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Levels of Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 in normozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic men and its association with motility, fertilization rate, embryo quality and pregnancy rate

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

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.

Conclusion

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.

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Acknowledgment

We thank Dr Veena Bangera, Sister Benny Castellino, Sheetal Shah and the entire staff of INKUS INF CENTRE, for providing semen samples and also for their assistance and advice without which this work was impossible. We are also grateful to ICMR and the PhD students of Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory at NIRRH, Parel for excellent technical assistance.

Funding

We are extremely thankful to Jaslok Hospital for funding the project (Research project number 448).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jaslok Hospital, 15, Dr G Deshmukh Marg, Mumbai – 26, India

    Rashmi Bhilawadikar & Indira Hinduja

  2. Inkus IVF Centre, 104/204, Mehta Bhavan, 311, Charni Road (E), Mumbai, 400004, India

    Rashmi Bhilawadikar, Kusum Zaveri, Leena Mukadam, Shilpa Naik, Ketan Kamble & Indira Hinduja

  3. Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai 12, India

    Deepak Modi

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  1. Rashmi Bhilawadikar
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  2. Kusum Zaveri
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  7. Indira Hinduja
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Correspondence to Indira Hinduja.

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Capsule

Sperm tail proteins Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 are lower in immotile spermatozoa and in the spermatozoa of oligoasthenozoospermic men. Reduced levels of these proteins appear to associate with reduced fertilization rates, poor embryo quality and low pregnancy rate in oligoasthenozoospermic men as compared to normozoospermic men. Large scale studies need to be conducted to determine if Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 can serve as markers for predicting the success rate of ART in infertile men.

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Bhilawadikar, R., Zaveri, K., Mukadam, L. et al. Levels of Tektin 2 and CatSper 2 in normozoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic men and its association with motility, fertilization rate, embryo quality and pregnancy rate. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 513–523 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9972-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-9972-6

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