In infertile men, it has been demonstrated that heat shock protein (HspA2) is
expressed in spermatogonia parallel the loss of spermatogenic function. Low level of
HspA2 expression in spermatogonia might lead to an altered level of protection,
which in turn could be involved in low spermatogenic efficiency. Aim: The present
study aimed to investigate the relationship between expression of heat shock protein
(HspA2) in ejaculated human sperm and oxidative stress in male infertility. Patients
& Methods: This study included 96 men attending the Andrology Outpatient Clinic,
Mansoura University Hospital. The semen samples obtained from men were grouped
according to WHO criteria into: Normozoospermia (N) was used as control group
(n=24), Asthenozoospermia (A) (n= 21), Astheno-Teratozoospermia (AT) (n=23) and
Oligo-Astheno-Teratozoospermia (OAT) (n=28). Computer assisted semen analysis
(Autosperm), hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test and acrosin activity of spermatozoa
by gelatinolysis test were performed. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA)/spermatozoa and
total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed in seminal plasma. Expression level of
HspA2 mRNA of spermatozoa was determined by RT-PCR and DNA fragmentation
was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Result: The current study showed that,
percentage of DNA fragmentation was significantly increased in OAT group
compared to control group (N). Also, the present study showed significantly negative
correlation between MDA/spermatozoa with sperm concentration, grade A motility
grade A+B motility, velocity, linear velocity linearity index, normal morphology,
acrosin activity index, HOS test TAC and HspA2 expression. HspA2 expression and
TAC level showed significantly positive correlation with sperm concentration, grade
A motility, grade A+B motility, velocity, linear velocity, linearity index, normal
morphology, acrosin activity index, HOS test and HspA2 expression. Conclusion:
From results of the current study, it could be concluded that HspA2 gene expression
in ejaculated sperm from infertile might be associated with spermatogenic and/or
spermiogenic dysfunction involved in the pathogenesis of some cases of male
infertility.