Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
05:00
Grade III Varicocele Surgical Treatment using Spermatic Vein-Superficial Abdominal Vein Shunt
Published on: August 23, 2024
4.0K
An association between sperm PLCζ levels and varicocele?
Elham Janghorban-Laricheh1,2, Nasim Ghazavi-Khorasgani1,2, Marziyeh Tavalaee1
1Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
|September 11, 2016
Summary
Varicocele is linked to lower phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ) expression in sperm, impacting oocyte activation and male fertility. This study quantifies reduced PLCζ RNA and protein in infertile men with varicocele.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Andrology
- Sperm Function
Background:
- Phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ) is crucial for oocyte activation.
- Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility.
- Understanding PLCζ expression in varicocele is vital for reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare phospholipase C ζ (PLCζ) expression at RNA and protein levels.
- To investigate PLCζ in fertile men versus men with varicocele.
- To assess the role of PLCζ in varicocele-associated infertility.
Main Methods:
- Semen parameters analyzed using WHO 2010 criteria.
- Sperm DNA fragmentation assessed via sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA).
- PLCζ mRNA and protein levels quantified using real-time PCR and Western blot.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower relative PLCζ expression (RNA and protein) in varicocele group.
- Elevated sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men with varicocele.
- Reduced PLCζ expression correlates with male infertility in varicocele patients.
Conclusions:
- Low PLCζ expression is an etiological factor in varicocele-related infertility.
- Reduced PLCζ impairs sperm's oocyte activation ability.
- Findings offer insights into the reproductive physiology of varicocele.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Infertility in Males
652
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
652
01:26Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
276
Varicose veins, or varicosities, develop when the valves in the veins, which control blood flow, weaken or damage. It causes blood to pool and the veins to enlarge. Understanding the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and management options for varicose veins is crucial for effective treatment and relief.Clinical manifestationsClinical manifestations of varicose veins include a heavy, achy feeling or pain after prolonged standing or sitting. This discomfort can often be relieved by...
276
01:22Sperm Structure and Semen Composition
13.0K
During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...
13.0K
01:41Spermatogenesis
124.4K
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...
124.4K
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
420
The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
420
01:27Testes: Histology
3.4K
A tough, fibrous membrane, the tunica albuginea, covers the testes, extending inward to form fibrous partitions or septa, dividing them into internal compartments called lobules. Each lobule has 1 to 3 tightly coiled seminiferous tubules where sperm production occurs. These tubules merge into a tubular network at the back of the testis, known as the rete testis. It connects to 15 to 20 efferent ductules, leading to the epididymis.
The spermatogenic cells, responsible for producing sperm, are...
The spermatogenic cells, responsible for producing sperm, are...
3.4K