Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
04:36
The Examination of Peroxidase-Positive Leukocytes in Semen
Published on: January 19, 2024
Association of paraoxonase gene polymorphisms with sperm parameters
Leandros A Lazaros1, Nectaria V Xita, Elissavet G Hatzi
1Laboratory of Medical Genetics and Human Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
Journal of Andrology
|December 4, 2010
Summary
Genetic variants in Paraoxonase (PON) genes are linked to male infertility. Specific PON gene alleles, like PON1 55L and PON1 192Q, correlate with improved sperm parameters, while others are associated with reduced semen quality.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Paraoxonase (PON) is an enzyme associated with high-density lipoprotein, crucial for preventing low-density lipoprotein oxidation.
- PON proteins are found in male reproductive tissues and spermatozoa, suggesting a role in male fertility.
- Previous research has implicated PON proteins in the pathogenesis of male infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Paraoxonase (PON) gene variants and sperm parameters in men.
- To determine if specific PON gene polymorphisms contribute to male infertility.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of PON1 (L/M 55, Q/R 192) and PON2 (S/C 311) polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion.
- Analysis of DNA extracted from spermatozoa of 120 oligospermic and 170 normozoospermic men.
- Statistical analysis to correlate genotypes and alleles with sperm parameters like motility and concentration.
Main Results:
- Oligospermic men showed lower frequencies of PON1 55L/L, PON1 192Q/Q, and PON2 311S/S genotypes compared to normozoospermic men.
- Increased frequencies of PON1 55M, PON1 192R, and PON2 311C alleles were observed in oligospermic individuals.
- PON1 55L and PON1 192Q alleles were associated with enhanced sperm motility across all groups.
- PON2 311S allele correlated with higher sperm concentration, while PON1 55M, PON1 192R, and PON2 311C alleles were linked to decreased sperm quality.
Conclusions:
- Paraoxonase (PON) gene variants significantly influence semen quality and may play a role in male infertility.
- Specific PON alleles are associated with both positive and negative effects on sperm parameters, highlighting their clinical relevance.
- Further research into PON gene polymorphisms could offer insights into male reproductive health and potential therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters
The pharmacogenetics of drug transporters is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing interindividual variability in drug absorption, distribution, and elimination. These membrane-bound proteins regulate drugs' movement across cellular barriers by actively pumping them out (efflux) or facilitating their uptake (influx). Among the major transporter families, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters play particularly prominent roles. Genetic polymorphisms...
01:29Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
01:28Pharmacogenetics of Phase I Enzymes: Cytochrome P450 Isozymes
Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes are a superfamily of heme-containing monooxygenases that play a pivotal role in Phase I drug metabolism by catalyzing oxidation and reduction reactions.These enzymes transform lipophilic xenobiotics into more hydrophilic metabolites, facilitating subsequent Phase II conjugation and eventual excretion. The CYP450 family is classified into families (e.g., CYP1–CYP3) and subfamilies (e.g., CYP2A, CYP2C), based on amino acid sequence homology.CYP450 isoenzymes,...
01:41Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
01:29Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...