Original scientific paper
The role of polymorphisms in genes for the cytosolic and calciumindependent phospholipase A2 in the reproductive fitness of men
Alena Buretić-Tomljanović
orcid.org/0000-0002-9840-1245
; Department of biology and medical genetics, School of medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Ivan Vlastelić
; Department of human reproduction, Clinic for gynecology and obstetrition, Clinical hospital center Rijeka, Croatia
Sergej Nadalin
; Department of biology and medical genetics, School of medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Anđelka Radojčić Badovinac
; Department of human reproduction, Clinic for gynecology and obstetrition, Clinical hospital center Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
ABSTRACT. Aim: The role of PLA2 superfamily enzymes is indicated in the human testes, associated
with disturbance of spermatogenesis, and with hormonal secretion from anterior pituitary. The aim of
this study was to investigate the association between two polymorphisms (rs10798059 in the cytosolic
PLA2 gene -PLA2G4A and rs4375 in the calcium-independent PLA2 gene-PLA2G6A) and clinical features
of 96 oligoasthenospermic or asthenospermic men. Methods: Sixty five infertile men with idiopathic
infertility were included in the study. Genetic analyses were performed using PCR-RFLP method while
chi-square test, multiple stepwise regression and ANOVA were used in the statistical analyses. Results:
The frequencies of cPLA2 and iPLA2 genotypes and alleles were not significantly different between
tested group and 59 control men. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed a statistically significant
association between both investigated polymorphisms and FSH serum level in 96 patients (P<0,05).
Furthermore, iPLA2 polymorphism was significantly associated with sperm number and total serum
testosterone level (in both cases P<0,05). Additional multiple stepwise regression analysis in 65 men
with idiopathic infertility confirmed an association between iPLA2 (βFSH=0,504; P<0,0001) and cPLA2
(βFSH=0,322; P<0,01) polymorphisms and FSH means at a higher level of statistical significance. The
same analysis also revealed an association between LH means and iPLA2 polymorphism (βLH=0,319;
P<0,02). The genotype C/C of the iPLA2 polymorphism was associated with the highest mean FSH
value (above the physiologic range) while the lowest mean was found in heterozygotes (T/C). According
to iPLA2 genotype, LH means varied within the physiologic range but were distributed in the same
manner as did FSH means. Conclusions: The results suggest that investigated iPLA2 and cPLA2
polymorphisms might influence the exocytosis of gonadotropins from the anterior pituitary and/or
testes function, thus modulating reproductive fitness in men.
Keywords
genetic analysis; genetic polymorphisms; gonadotropins; male infertility; phospholipase A2; testosterone
Hrčak ID:
25951
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2008.
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