Potential biomarkers of nonobstructive azoospermia identified in microarray gene expression analysis

The poly(A)-binding protein genes, EPAB, PABPC1, and PABPC3 are differentially expressed in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia

“…One of them by Malcher et al (2013) revealed that there are significantly downregulated (AKAP4, UBQLN3, CAPN11, GGN, SPACA4, SPATA3, and FAM71F1) and upregulated (WBSCR28, ADCY10, TMEM225, SPATS1, FSCN3, GTSF1L, and GSG1) genes in the testicular tissues of infertile men with various types of NOA when compared to control counterparts using microarray [7]. The researchers concluded that the set of genes differently expressed in the NOA groups can be used as biomarkers to understand the degree of spermatogenic impairment in the idiopathic NOA groups.…”

“…It is important to note that there is no sperm production in the testis with either spermatogenic arrest or SCO under normal conditions. Related studies have revealed that expressional changes in the spermatogenesis-related genes may have profound adverse effects on the molecular background of azoospermia development [7][8][9]. However, there are a limited number of studies aimed to evaluate the molecular background of NOA development, in which irreversible spermatogenesis impairment exists to a large extent.…”

Male infertility biomarkers and genomic aberrations in azoospermia

“…In this context, a recent study by Malcher et al (3) examined 27 testicular biopsy specimens from 18 men in an attempt to determine genetic biomarkers for male factor infertility. Using a Gene-Chip Human Gene 1.0 ST array (Affymetrix), testicular tissues were classified into categories based on their histopathology and compared with controls with real-time polymerase chain reaction to confirm expression.…”

Genomic and Proteomic Approaches in the Diagnosis of Male Infertility

“…Lin et al [ 92 ] expanded on these early fi ndings by pooling cDNA from testicular biopsy samples grouped by pathology. More recently, Malcher et al [ 93 ] utilized testicular biopsy samples from controls and men with NOA. Gene expression found 4,946 differentially expressed genes with SPACA4 and CAPN11 signifi cantly downregulated in infertile patients [ 93 ].…”

“…More recently, Malcher et al [ 93 ] utilized testicular biopsy samples from controls and men with NOA. Gene expression found 4,946 differentially expressed genes with SPACA4 and CAPN11 signifi cantly downregulated in infertile patients [ 93 ]. Interestingly, SPACA4 (or SAMP14) has been found in the sperm acrosome and postulated to be involved with sperm-egg interactions [ 94 ] with CAPN11 potentially involved in cytoskeletal remodeling during spermatogenesis [ 93 , 95 ].…”