Spermatozoal cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector A (CIDEA) gene expression and DNA...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome (MS) is increasingly recognized as a factor affecting male reproductive health.
• Unexplained infertility in men with normal semen parameters warrants further molecular investigation.
• Cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector A (CIDEA) and its role in male fertility are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate spermatozoal CIDEA gene expression and DNA fragmentation in men with MS and unexplained infertility.
• To correlate these molecular markers with seminal glucose concentration.
• To assess the impact of MS on male fertility at the molecular level.

Main Methods:

• Study included 120 participants: 75 with MS (fertile/infertile) and 45 controls.
• Assessed HOMA-IR, semen analysis, seminal insulin/glucose, spermatozoal insulin/CIDEA gene expression (RT-PCR), and DNA fragmentation.
• Correlated gene expression and DNA fragmentation with seminal glucose levels.

Main Results:

• Spermatozoal insulin and CIDEA gene expression, and DNA fragmentation were significantly higher in infertile MS patients compared to fertile MS patients and controls.
• Seminal glucose positively correlated with seminal insulin, spermatozoal insulin, CIDEA expression, and DNA fragmentation.
• A positive correlation was observed between spermatozoal CIDEA gene expression and DNA fragmentation.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic syndrome may negatively impact male fertility at the molecular level.
• Increased spermatozoal CIDEA and insulin gene expression, DNA fragmentation, and seminal glucose are associated with MS-related infertility.
• CIDEA and insulin gene expression, and DNA fragmentation may be molecular indicators of MS-induced male infertility.