The Germ Cell–Specific Markers ZPBP2 and PGK2 in Testicular Biopsies Can Predict the Presence as well as the Quality of Sperm in Non-obstructive Azoospermia Patients

Gashti, Nasrin Ghanami; Gilani, Mohammad Ali Sadighi; Jabari, Ayob; Qasemi, Maryam; Feizollahi, Narjes; Abbasi, Mehdi

doi:10.1007/s43032-020-00427-9

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Acrosomal vesicle protein 1 (ACRV1) known as seminal protein 10 is expressed dur ing the late phase of spermatogenesis [45]. In human tissues, ACRV1 is found in round and elongated spermatids, mainly in the acrosomal membrane and the matrix of sperm cells and therefore it could have an effect on spermatogenesis [46].…”

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confidence: 99%

Non-Invasive Diagnostics of Male Spermatogenesis from Seminal Plasma: Seminal Proteins

et al. 2023

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The compounds of seminal plasma have great potential as biomarkers of male fertility and can be used as a diagnostic tool for types of azoospermia. Azoospermia occurs in approximately 1% of the male population, and for an effective therapy of this form of male infertility, it is important to distinguish between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. Proteins in seminal plasma can serve as biomarkers for diagnosing azoospermia. Considering the various types of obstructions, a combination of multiple proteins is advisable for diagnostic purposes. In this context, testicular and epididymal proteins are particularly significant, as they are specific to these tissues and typically absent in ejaculate during most obstructions. A combination of multiple biomarkers is more effective than the analysis of a single protein. This group of markers contains TEX101 and ECM1 proteins, combined detections of these two bring a diagnostic output with a high sensitivity and specificity. Similar results were observed for combined detection of TEX101 and SPAG1. The effective using of specific biomarkers from seminal plasma can significantly improve the existing approaches to diagnosis of the causes of male infertility.

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confidence: 99%

Non-Invasive Diagnostics of Male Spermatogenesis from Seminal Plasma: Seminal Proteins

et al. 2023

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“…Thus, the specific expression of molecules in the seminal plasma or seminal exosomes may only partly reflect the spermatogenic function of the testis. Furthermore, although some studies have indicated that spermatogenesis varies in different areas of the testis ( 24 ), a series of studies have verified that patterns of expression for testis-specific genes or non-coding RNAs are significantly associated with the success of sperm recovery in patients with NOA, emphasizing their potential value as predictors of successful SRO in these patients ( 25 , 26 ). In our previous collaboration, we observed that circ_MGLL expression is upregulated in patients with NOA when compared with the level observed in patients with obstructive azoospermia ( 17 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nomogram based on a circular RNA biomarker for predicting the likelihood of successful sperm retrieval via microdissection testicular sperm extraction in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia

Shi

Wang

et al. 2023

Front. Endocrinol.

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BackgroundMany circular RNAs (circRNAs) are specifically expressed in the testes and seminal plasma of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), highlighting them as potential predictors of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) outcomes. Although research has indicated that circular RNA monoglyceride lipase (circ_MGLL) is highly expressed in the testicular tissues of patients with NOA, the association between circ_MGLL expression and sperm retrieval outcomes (SROs) in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (iNOA) receiving micro-TESE remains unclear.MethodsThis single-center, retrospective cohort study enrolled 114 patients with iNOA who underwent micro-TESE at Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital from January 2017 to November 2021. A logistic regression model was used to examine associations between SRO and circ_MGLL expression in testicular tissues, the results of which were used in conjunction with previous findings to establish a nomogram. The predictive performance of the circ_MGLL-based nomogram was evaluated via calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) using an internal validation method.ResultsThe generalized additive model indicated that the probability of successful SRO for micro-TESE decreased as circ_MGLL expression increased in testicular tissues. Across the entire cohort, univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that circ_MGLL expression was inversely associated with SRO in patients with NOA. This trend did not change after stratification according to age, body mass index, testicular volume, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, luteinizing hormone (LH) level, testosterone (T) level, or pathological type (or after adjusting for these confounders) (odds ratio <1, P < 0.001). A nomogram was then generated by integrating circ_MGLL, pathological types, and FSH, LH, and T levels. The circ_MGLL-based predictive model achieved satisfactory discrimination, with an area under the curve of 0.857, and the calibration curves demonstrated impressive agreement. The DCA indicated that the net clinical benefit of the circ_MGLL-based predictive model was greater than that of circ_MGLL alone.Conclusioncirc_MGLL is significantly associated with the SRO of micro-TESE in patients with iNOA. The circ_MGLL-based nomogram developed in the current study can predict successful SRO with high accuracy.

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“…-Phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (PGK2): a key enzyme in glycolysis, crucial for sperm development and motility, primarily expressed in elongated spermatids ( 70 ).…”

Section: Potential Non-invasive Biomarkers In Noamentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-invasive biomarkers for sperm retrieval in non-obstructive patients: a comprehensive review

Fontana,

Sirchia,

Pesenti

et al. 2024

Front. Endocrinol.

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Recent advancements in reproductive medicine have guided novel strategies for addressing male infertility, particularly in cases of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Two prominent invasive interventions, namely testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and microdissection TESE (micro-TESE), have emerged as key techniques to retrieve gametes for assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Both heterogeneity and complexity of NOA pose a multifaceted challenge to clinicians, as the invasiveness of these procedures and their unpredictable success underscore the need for more precise guidance. Seminal plasma can be aptly regarded as a liquid biopsy of the male reproductive tract, encompassing secretions from the testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands, and prostate. This fluid harbors a variety of cell-free nucleic acids, microvesicles, proteins, and metabolites intricately linked to gonadal activity. However, despite numerous investigations exploring potential biomarkers from seminal fluid, their widespread inclusion into the clinical practice remains limited. This could be partially due to the complex interplay of diverse clinical and genetic factors inherent to NOA that likely contributes to the absence of definitive biomarkers for residual spermatogenesis. It is conceivable that the integration of clinical data with biomarkers could increase the potential in predicting surgical procedure outcomes and their choice in NOA cases. This comprehensive review addresses the challenge of sperm retrieval in NOA through non-invasive biomarkers. Moreover, we delve into promising perspectives, elucidating innovative approaches grounded in multi-omics methodologies, including genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. These cutting-edge techniques, combined with the clinical and genetics features of patients, could improve the use of biomarkers in personalized medical approaches, patient counseling, and the decision-making continuum. Finally, Artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant potential in the realm of combining biomarkers and clinical data, also in the context of identifying non-invasive biomarkers for sperm retrieval.

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The Germ Cell–Specific Markers ZPBP2 and PGK2 in Testicular Biopsies Can Predict the Presence as well as the Quality of Sperm in Non-obstructive Azoospermia Patients

Cited by 9 publications

References 31 publications

Non-Invasive Diagnostics of Male Spermatogenesis from Seminal Plasma: Seminal Proteins

Non-Invasive Diagnostics of Male Spermatogenesis from Seminal Plasma: Seminal Proteins

Nomogram based on a circular RNA biomarker for predicting the likelihood of successful sperm retrieval via microdissection testicular sperm extraction in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia

Non-invasive biomarkers for sperm retrieval in non-obstructive patients: a comprehensive review

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