The Correlation of Septin4 Gene Expression with Sperm Quality, DNA Damage, and Oxidative Stress Level in infertile Patients
The Correlation of Septin4 Gene Expression with Sperm Quality, DNA Damage, and Oxidative Stress Level in infertile Patients
Rahil Jannatifar,1,*Fahimeh Naghi jalalabadi,2Hamid Piroozmanesh,3Hamid Reza Momeni,4
1. Department of Reproductive Biology, Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR) 2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Arak University 3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Arak University 4. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Arak University
Introduction: Septin4 belong to a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins that are required for many
cellular functions, such as membrane compartmentalization, vesicular trafficking, mitosis, and
cytoskeletal remodeling. One family member, Septin4 (full name: Septin; symbol name: SEPT),
is expressed specifically in the testis. The aim of the present study was to determine the
association between Septin4 gene expression, sperm quality, DNA damage, and stress oxidative
level in infertile patients.
Methods: The present study included 60 semen samples that were obtained from men attending
the Infertility Research Center at the Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research
(ACECR) in Qom, Iran and were divided into three groups: Normozoospermia (n=20),
Asthenozoospermia (n=20), Astheno-Teratozoospermia (n=20). Semen samples were collected
and initial analysis including semen parameters was analyzed by using the World Health
Organization protocol. The mRNA expression of Septin4 in sperm was examined using reverse
transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Oxidative stress markers, i.e. total
antioxidant capacity (TAC), Superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalyzes(CAT), Glutathione peroxidase
(GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were determined by ELISA kit.
Results: The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in
Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm
Mitochondrial membrane potential. However, it shows significant negative correlation with
sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and
antioxidant enzyme levels.
Conclusion: In conclusion, SEPTIN-4 gene expression provides clinical useful information for
the diagnosis of male infertility. It might be a marker for discrimination between fertile and
infertile patients.
Keywords: Septin4, Sperm quality, DNA damage, Stress oxidative