Abstract
DNA methylation process is a very essential step during sperm maturation through facilitating the replacement of histone by
transition nuclear proteins, and then, replaced by protamine during the spermatid elongation stage. The present study was
designed to investigate the association between the methylation patterns of SNRPN imprinting control region (ICR) and male
infertility (MI). One hundred of semen and blood samples were collected from [50 infertile patients (oligospermia) (OZ) and
50 fertile patients (normal control) (NZ)]. Semen samples (100) were collected for microscopic examination of seminal fluid
analysis (SFA) for diagnosis male infertility and for molecular study using specific primer of Imprinting SNRPN gene DNA
methylation by Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Blood samples (100) were collected for hormonal
level assay (Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone) by ELISA Kits. This study
revealed that the SNRPN hypermethylation pattern was a higher significant difference for infertile patients compared with
fertile patients. The prepares of this study to evaluate methylation patterns levels in an infertile patient using qPCR technique
and effect on sperm parameters.
Key words : DNA methylation, Imprinting gene, Male infertility, SNRPN, Spermatogenesis.
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