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BACKGROUND: DAZ gene family is crucial for human spermatogenesis that requires the precise co-ordination of cell cycle events. CDC25A is recognized as the downstream substrate of DAZ gene family and is thought to function on the M-phase regulation of cell cycles. We investigated the expression profiles of CDC25A in the testes of infertile men and evaluated the relationship between CDC25A levels and testicular phenotype, clinical hormonal parameters and sperm retrieval results. METHODS: The protein and mRNA transcript levels of CDC25A in the testes of 40 azoospermic men were determined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time-PCR. CDC25A in human spermatozoa was investigated by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: The CDC25A protein was expressed mainly in spermatocyte, spermatid and spermatozoa. CDC25A transcript levels were significantly decreased (P = 0.0009) in patients with spermatogenic failure, especially in men with meiotic arrest and Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Significantly higher CDC25A transcript levels were detected in patients with successful sperm retrieval than in patients with failed sperm retrieval (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased CDC25A is associated with spermatogenic failure and failed sperm retrieval in infertile men. Further studies are necessary to explore the functional roles of CDC25A in human spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: M-phase promoting factor (MPF), which is comprised of Cyclin B and a catalytic subunit, Cdc2, is a key enzyme required for cells to enter M phase in both mitosis and meiosis. MPF activity is controlled by the stimulatory dephosphorylation of the Cdc25 family and the inhibitory phosphorylation of Wee1. We determined the levels of mRNA transcripts of MPF and its regulators in the testes of infertile men, and evaluated the relationship between the transcript levels and patients’ testicular phenotypes and sperm retrieval results. METHODS AND RESULTS: The mRNA transcript levels of CDC2, CCNB1, CCNB2, CDC25A, CDC25B, CDC25C and WEE1 in the testes of 37 azoospermic patients were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Significant decreases in CDC2, CCNB1, CCNB2, CDC25A, CDC25C and WEE1 mRNA transcript levels were detected in patients with spermatogenic failure. CDC2 mRNA transcript levels correlated significantly with those of CCNB1 and CCNB2 mRNA. Significantly higher CDC2, CCNB1, CCNB2, CDC25C and WEE1 mRNA transcript levels were detected in 18 patients with successful sperm retrieval than in 11 patients with failed sperm retrieval. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the decreased mRNA transcripts of MPF and its regulators play important roles in human spermatogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Testicular sperm retrieval can lead to paternity for azoospermic patients with spermatogenic failure. The human BOULE gene, a meiotic regulator of germ cells, is a gene whose altered expression may be associated with sterility. We determined the levels of BOULE transcripts in the testes of azoospermic patients, and evaluated the relationship between BOULE transcript levels and patients' testicular phenotypes, clinical parameters and sperm retrieval results. METHODS and RESULTS: BOULE transcript levels in the testes of 41 azoospermic patients were examined by quantitative competitive-reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction. A significant decrease in BOULE transcript levels was detected in patients with spermatogenic failure, and BOULE transcript levels progressively decreased with increasing severity of testicular failure. BOULE transcript levels did not correlate with the serum hormone parameters measured. Significantly higher BOULE transcript levels were detected in 19 patients with successful sperm retrieval than in 12 patients with failed sperm retrieval. When using a cut-off value of 0.5 for BOULE transcript ratio to predict the success of sperm retrieval, both the sensitivity and specificity value were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest the BOULE transcript plays an important role in human spermatogenesis and that the levels may predict the presence of testicular sperm in patients with spermatogenic failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]