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Ontological evaluation of transcriptional differences between sperm of infertile males and fertile donors using microarray analysis

  • Gamete Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To catalogue Gene Ontology terms in the sperm of infertile human males vs. donors of proven fertility by analyzing five samples from each of the two groups (five aliquots from fresh sperm and five post-swim-up).

Methods

Microarray technology was employed to study the mRNA profile of both fresh and post-swim-up pooled samples from infertile males and donors.

Results

Genes that were differentially expressed in the two populations and expressed in only one of two were analyzed to determine the gene products in terms of their associated Gene Ontology terms. Each group presented a different number and pattern of Gene Ontology terms.

Conclusions

We found differences in Gene Ontology terms between the two groups. These differences could potentially be employed to establish markers of fertility success and to identify cellular processes and complex systems related with male infertility.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to technical personnel of the Andrology and IVF-Sperm Laboratory for their cooperation in this study.

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Correspondence to Sandra García-Herrero.

Additional information

Capsule Ontological analysis of genes that are differentially expressed in the sperm of infertile males undergoing assisted reproduction vs. fertile donors reveals that different biological processes, cellular components, molecular functions and metabolic pathways are attributable.

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García-Herrero, S., Garrido, N., Martínez-Conejero, J.A. et al. Ontological evaluation of transcriptional differences between sperm of infertile males and fertile donors using microarray analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet 27, 111–120 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9388-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9388-5

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