The presence of a complex population of mRNAs in human mature spermatozoa is well documented; among them, transcripts of aromatase and ERs (oestrogen receptors) have been described but their significance is not clear. Therefore, to clarify the role of this complex population of mRNAs in human ejaculated sperm, we have isolated on discontinuous density gradients two main fractions from the same sample: high- and low-motile spermatozoa. The levels of different transcripts coding for molecules involved in nuclear condensation [Prm-1 (protamine 1) and Prm-2], capacitation [eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), nNOS (neuronal nitric oxide synthase), c-myc], motility and sperm survival (aromatase) have been assessed using semi-quantitative RT (reverse transcriptase)–PCR. The viability of sperm as well as the percentage of apoptosis were identical in high- and low-motile fractions. No significant change in the c-myc/Prm-2 ratio between the two populations of spermatozoa was observed. Conversely the amount of Prm-1 mRNA was significantly higher in low-motile than in high-motile fraction; in most of the high-motile sperm samples analysed, eNOS and nNOS transcripts were undetectable, whereas they were observed in low-motile sperm. Moreover, a partial or complete disappearance of c-myc transcripts was observed after capacitation. As to the aromatase expression, a significant decrease in the amount of transcripts in immotile sperm fraction was recorded in all samples studied. To conclude, analysing mRNA profiles in humans could be helpful either as a diagnostic tool to evaluate male fertility, since they reflect spermatogenesis gene expression, and/or a prognosis value for fertilization, since these RNAs are delivered to oocytes.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
June 2007
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
May 22 2007
RNA dynamics of fertile and infertile spermatozoa
S. Carreau;
S. Carreau
1
*Biochemistry Laboratory, EA 2608-USC INRA 2006, Université de Caen, Esplanade de la paix, 14032 Caen cedex, France
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email [email protected]).
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Lambard;
S. Lambard
2
*Biochemistry Laboratory, EA 2608-USC INRA 2006, Université de Caen, Esplanade de la paix, 14032 Caen cedex, France
Search for other works by this author on:
L. Said;
L. Said
*Biochemistry Laboratory, EA 2608-USC INRA 2006, Université de Caen, Esplanade de la paix, 14032 Caen cedex, France
Search for other works by this author on:
A. Saad;
A. Saad
†Department of Genetics and Reproduction, Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia
Search for other works by this author on:
I. Galeraud-Denis
I. Galeraud-Denis
*Biochemistry Laboratory, EA 2608-USC INRA 2006, Université de Caen, Esplanade de la paix, 14032 Caen cedex, France
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
November 03 2006
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2007 Biochemical Society
2007
Biochem Soc Trans (2007) 35 (3): 634–636.
Article history
Received:
November 03 2006
Citation
S. Carreau, S. Lambard, L. Said, A. Saad, I. Galeraud-Denis; RNA dynamics of fertile and infertile spermatozoa. Biochem Soc Trans 1 June 2007; 35 (3): 634–636. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0350634
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Biochemical Society Member Sign in
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionGet Access To This Article
Get Email Alerts
Open Access for all
We offer compliant routes for all authors from 2025. With library support, there will be no author nor reader charges in 5 journals. Check here |
![]() |