Molecular Profiling of Spermatozoa Reveals Correlations Between Morphology and Gene Expression: A Novel Biomarker Panel for Male Infertility

Overview

Journal Biomed Res Int

Publisher Wiley

Specialties Biomedical Engineering
Biotechnology
General Medicine

Date 2021 Oct 4

PMID 34604380

Citations 8

Authors

Nino Guy Cassuto

David Piquemal

Florence Boitrelle

Lionel Larue

Nathalie Ledee

Ghada Hatem

Lea Ruoso

Dominique Bouret

Jean-Pierre Siffroi

Alexandre Rouen

Said Assou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Choosing spermatozoa with an optimum fertilizing potential is one of the major challenges in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This selection is mainly based on semen parameters, but the addition of molecular approaches could allow a more functional evaluation. To this aim, we used sixteen fresh sperm samples from patients undergoing ART for male infertility and classified them in the high- and poor-quality groups, on the basis of their morphology at high magnification. Then, using a DNA sequencing method, we analyzed the spermatozoa methylome to identify genes that were differentially methylated. By Gene Ontology and protein-protein interaction network analyses, we defined candidate genes mainly implicated in cell motility, calcium reabsorption, and signaling pathways as well as transmembrane transport. RT-qPCR of high- and poor-quality sperm samples allowed showing that the expression of some genes, such as , , , , , , , , , and , have different expression levels according to sperm morphology. In conclusion, the present study shows a strong correlation between morphology and gene expression in the spermatozoa and provides a biomarker panel for sperm analysis during ART and a new tool to explore male infertility.

Citing Articles

Genome-Wide microRNA Expression Profiling in Human Spermatozoa and Its Relation to Sperm Quality.

Cassuto N, Boitrelle F, Mouik H, Larue L, Keromnes G, Ledee N Genes (Basel). 2025; 16(1.

PMID: 39858600 PMC: 11765444. DOI: 10.3390/genes16010053.

The Response of the miRNA Profiles of the Thyroid Gland to the Artificial Photoperiod in Ovariectomized and Estradiol-Treated Ewes.

Ren Z, Wang W, He X, Chu M Animals (Basel). 2025; 15(1.

PMID: 39794954 PMC: 11718883. DOI: 10.3390/ani15010011.

Sperm morphology value in assisted reproduction: dismantling an enigma and key takeaways for the busy clinician.

Wyns C, Vogiatzi P, Saleh R, Shah R, Agarwal A Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2024; 18:26334941241303888.

PMID: 39651461 PMC: 11624537. DOI: 10.1177/26334941241303888.

Unraveling the protective genetic architecture of COVID-19 in the Brazilian Amazon.

Barros M, de Souza J, Gomes D, Pinho C, Silva C, Braga-da-Silva C Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):27332.

PMID: 39521879 PMC: 11550431. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-78170-3.

Different Nuclear Architecture in Human Sperm According to Their Morphology.

Cassuto N, Ogal N, Assou S, Ruoso L, Rogers E, Monteiro M Genes (Basel). 2024; 15(4).

PMID: 38674398 PMC: 11049835. DOI: 10.3390/genes15040464.

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