Aoki VW, Liu L, Jones KP, Hatasaka HH, Gibson M, Peterson CM, Carrell DT. Sperm protamine 1/protamine 2 ratios are related to in vitro fertilization pregnancy rates and predictive of fertilization ability.
Fertil Steril 2006;
86:1408-15. [PMID:
17011555 DOI:
10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.04.024]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2005] [Revised: 04/12/2006] [Accepted: 04/12/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether aberrant sperm P1/P2 ratios are predictive of abnormal fertilizing ability and are related to in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome.
DESIGN
Prospective case-control study.
SETTING
University-based infertility and IVF clinic.
PATIENT(S)
Forty-three male infertility patients with an abnormally reduced P1/P2 ratio, 251 patients with a normal P1/P2 ratio, and 121 patients with an abnormally elevated P1/P2 ratio.
INTERVENTION(S)
Human IVF, the sperm penetration assay (SPA), and sperm protamine quantification via nuclear protein extraction, gel electrophoresis, and densitometry analysis.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Sperm P1/P2 ratios; P1 and P2 quantities; SPA scores; and IVF-fertilization, embryo-quality, pregnancy, delivery, and spontaneous-abortion rates.
RESULT(S)
Standard IVF fertilization rates and SPA scores were significantly reduced in patients with abnormally low and high P1/P2 ratios. In vitro fertilization embryo quality was comparable between these groups, but pregnancy rates were significantly reduced in patients with abnormally reduced P1/P2 ratios.
CONCLUSION(S)
The P1/P2 ratio has a significant relationship to sperm fertilization ability. The relationship between protamines and fertilization ability is not understood but may be either a reflection of generalized abnormalities during spermiogenesis or an indication of protamine deficiency acting as a regulator or checkpoint of spermatogenesis.
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