Semen testis expressed protein 101 and spermatid-specific thioredoxin reductase 3 levels may be biomarkers in infertile male

Abstract

Abstract Objectives We aimed to determine the differences between normozoospermic and oligozoospermic individuals according to levels of spermatid-specific thioredoxin reductase 3 (SPTRXR3/STRX3/TXNDC8/TXNRD3) and testis expressed protein 101 (TEX-101), and to evaluate the correlations between spermiogram data and biochemical parameters. Methods The study was carried out at the Andrology Laboratory of Medicine Faculty of Selcuk University. Two groups were designed: Group 1: Normozoospermia (n=40, sperm concentration ≥ 15 million/mL), Group 2: Oligozoospermia; (n=40, sperm concentration < 15 million/mL). Seminal plasma SPTRXR3 and TEX-101 levels were analyzed with ELISA method. Spermiogram analysis was evaluated according to WHO 2010 Kruger criteria. Results TEX-101 protein levels were significantly different in normozoospermia (2.12 ± 0.08 ng/mL) compared to oligozoospermia (1.55 ± 0.04 ng/mL). SPTRXR3 levels (6.98 ± 0.46 ng/mL) were higher in oligozoospermia than normozoospermia (3.07 ± 0.35 ng/mL). Both TEX-101 and SPTRXR3 levels were correlated statistically with most of the spermiogram parameters. Conclusions High SPTRXR3 and low TEX-101 levels may be a biomarker in evaluation of male infertility. The relations between spermiogram parameters indicates that results present a new clinical approach in biology of oligozoospermic male.