Correlation Analysis of Sperm Count with TelomereLength and Sperm Functional Tes ts

Background: Telomeres are particular sequences at the ends ofchromosomes that are known as one of the mos t important biologicalmarkers of genome integrity. Previous s tudies demonstrated a significant correlation between sperm telomere lengthwith semen quality. In this s tudy, we showed the relationshipanalysis between sperm count with sperm telomere length andsperm functional tes ts.Materials and Methods: Semen samples were obtained from۸۰ men referring to from Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center.Sperm concentration was assessed by sperm counting chamberthrough computer-assis ted semen analysis software, and semenvolume was es timated by weight. To calculate sperm count, semenvolume was multiplied by sperm concentration. Telomerelength (quantitative real-time PCR), protamine deficiency(chromomycin A۳), DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay), andlipid peroxidation (Bodipy probe) were assessed for each sample.Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS was used for therelationship between sperm count with the aforementioned parameters.Results: Positive significant correlations were observed betweensperm count with telomere length (r=۰.۳۵; P=۰.۰۰۵),and sperm motility (r=۰.۴; P=۰.۰۰۱). In addition, we observednegative significant correlations between sperm count withabnormal sperm morphology (r=-۰.۳۷; P=۰.۰۰۳), protaminedeficiency (r=-۰.۵۴; P<۰.۰۰۱), DNA fragmentation (r=-۰.۳۲;P=۰.۰۰۷), and lipid peroxidation (r=-۰.۳۵; P=۰.۰۳).Conclusion: In semen samples of men with low sperm count,the level of oxidative s tress and chromatin functional tes tssuch as telomere length, protamine deficiency, and DNA damagewere significantly high. While, in men with normal spermcount, these parameters were in normal ranges.

کلیدواژه ها:

DNA Damage ، Oxidative S tress ، Protamine Deficiency ، Sperm Telomere Length