The effect of vitamin C on gene expression of protamine 1 and 2 ejaculated sperm in male partners of couples experiencing recurrent spontaneous abortion

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as the miscarriage of two or more consecutive pregnancies in the first or early second trimester of gestation. Some study presents sperm abnormalities as one of the reasons for RPL. The sperm DNA and chromatin anomalies can affect embryo development and implantation. Antioxidants like Vitamin C protect protamine genes in sperm chromatin.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin c on sperm chromatin and protamine genes expression in men of couples with a history of recurrent embryo loss.Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, totally 40 men referred to the Reproductive Sciences Institute, Yazd were divided into 2 groups, including fertility control (n=20) and case with 2 or 3 RPL which were treated by Vitamin C (250 milligrams for 3 months). Sperm chromatin, DNA integrity using CMA3 and TUNEL Respectively and the ratio of the gene expression of protamine 1 and 2 (p1, p2) to compare with gene B2M (internal control) were assessed. Data analysis was done by to ANOVA assay.Results: According to results, there were statistically significant differences between case and control groups and also between before and after vitamin administration regard to sperm morphology, the percentage of sperm cells with protamine deficiency and percentage of apoptotic cells (p<0.05). We saw a difference increase between before and after treatment of Vitamin regard to protamine genes expression ratios Respectively 3/9, 4/6. Also, Count sperm increased after vitamin administration.Conclusion: According to our results, it seems that daily oral administration of Vitamin C through the increase of protamin gene expression improves, sperm parameter and DNA integrity in male partners of couples with RPL.

کلیدواژه ها:

Sperm ، Recurrent pregnancy loss ، Vitamin C ، Protein gene ، DNA fragmentation