Background: To study the effect of Ureaplasma urealyticum on the level of P34H expression, the activity of hyaluronidase, and the DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa.
Method: Western blot was used to detect the level of P34H expression on spermatozoa.The localization of this protein on human spermatozoa was determined by indirect immunofluorescent and observed by laser scanning confocal microscope. The activity of hyaluronidase was examined by improved fixed-substrate film method. The DNA fragmentation was assayed with the use of TUNEL.
Results: There were significant differences in the level of P34H protein expression, the percentage of the P34H-positive rate, the activity of HYD, and the percentage of DNA fragmentation between each infertile group and the control (P<.05). The relation among the P34H protein expression, the percentage of P34H-positive rate and HYD-positive rate, HYD-activity intensity had a significant positive correlation; Both the P34H protein expression and the percentage of P34H-positive rate were inversely correlated with the percentages of sperm DNA fragmentation.
Conclusion: Ureaplasma urealyticum infection may affect the level of P34H protein expression, the percentage of the P34H-positive rate, the activity of HYD, and DNA fragmentation that influence fertility.
Keywords: DNA fragmentation; Hyaluronidase; P34H; Ureaplasma urealyticum; male infertility.
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.