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Yuan HF, Zhao K, Zang Y, Liu CY, Hu ZY, Wei JJ, Zhou T, Li Y, Zhang HP. Effect of folate deficiency on promoter methylation and gene expression of Esr1, Cav1, and Elavl1, and its influence on spermatogenesis. Oncotarget 2018; 8:24130-24141. [PMID: 28445960 PMCID: PMC5421833 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the effect of folate deficiency on the male reproductive function and the underlying mechanism. A total of 269 screened participants from 421 recruitments were enrolled in this study. An animal model of folate deficiency was constructed. Folate concentration was measured in the ejaculate, and its association with semen parameters was then determined. The expression and promoter methylation status of ESR1, CAV1, and ELAVL1 were also evaluated. Results showed that seminal plasma folate level was significantly lower among subjects with azoospermia than those with normozoospermia. Low folate level was significantly correlated with low sperm concentration in men with normozoospermia. Folate deficiency significantly reduced the expression of ESR1, CAV1, and ELAVL1, which are critical to spermatogenesis. However, low folate levels did not increase the methylation levels of the promoter regions of ESR1, CAV1, and ELAVL1 in human sperm DNA. Thus, folate deficiency impairs spermatogenesis may partly due to inhibiting the expression of these genes. Thus future research should determine the significance of sufficient folate status in male fertilization and subsequent pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Fang Yuan
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Center of Human Reproduction, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Zang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chun-Yan Liu
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Hu
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jia-Jing Wei
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Li
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui-Ping Zhang
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Center of Human Reproduction, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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