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MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF HUMAN SPERMATOZOA: POTENTIAL FOR INFERTILITY RESEARCH
Citation:
Miller, D., D J. Dix, R. Reid, AND S. A. Krawetz. MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF HUMAN SPERMATOZOA: POTENTIAL FOR INFERTILITY RESEARCH. Presented at Gordon Research Conference: Mammalian Gametogenesis & Embryogenesis, New London, CT, July 1-6, 2000.
Description:
Gordon Research Conference: Mammalian Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis
New London, CT, July 1-6, 2000
Molecular Analysis of Human Spermatozoa:
Potential for Infertility Research
David Miller 1, David Dix2, Robert Reid 3, Stephen A Krawetz 3
1Reproductive Biology Group, University of Leeds, LS2 9NS, UK
2 Reproductive Toxicology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USA.
3Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
E-Mail to David Miller: d.miller@leeds.ac.uk,
Considering that 1 in 6 couples have problems conceiving a child and that the male partner will be responsible for the couples? infertility in approximately half of these cases, it is astonishing that we know so little about the molecular basis of male-factor infertility. Indeed, excluding known chromosomal, Y-deletion and single-gene defects, the cause of over 75% of non-obstructive azoospermia and oligozoospermia remains largely unknown. Using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridisation, screening of cDNA libraries and most recently, screening of cDNA arrays, we have been able to demonstrate that ejaculate human (and murine) spermatozoa contain a complex repertoire of mRNAs. These mRNAs are encoded by genes that are common to most cell types (?-actin, HSP 70, HSP 90) and from genes that are highly specific to the spermatozoon (protamine 1, protamine 2 and transition protein 2). cDNA library and array screening has also helped identify many other transcripts. While the role of these mRNAs is unknown, we believe that they provide a unique window into gene expression events during spermatogenesis that may be highly informative in the search for genes associated with male factor infertility. We are developing cDNA arrays based on the UniGene set of testis-expressed genes that can be screened with probes generated from the ejaculate spermatozoa of men with idiopathic infertility. We aim to compare these profiles with those obtained from fertile men and identify genes that are differentially expressed in the two cohorts. The data obtained will allow us to identify new genes linked to male infertility. Furthermore, the arrays will allow us to monitor changes in expression profiles that may indicate perturbations in testicular gene expression associated with deleterious exposure to environmental factors (including exposure to xenoestrogens). This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.