In conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), complete failure of fertilization occurs in 5% to 15% of treatments. Although the causes may be unclear, sperm defects appear to be the major contributor. However, a convincing test is not yet available that can predict the risk of fertilization failure. In this study, we found that germinal angiotensin-converting enzyme (gACE) (also called testicular ACE) was undetectable in sperm from patients who had total fertilization failure (TFF) and lower fertilization rates (LFRs) by IVF based on Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence analyses. Additionally, almost all of the patients without gACE on sperm (23 of 25) manifested a TT genotype of the rs4316 single-nucleotide polymorphism of ACE. Overall, our results indicate that the absence of gACE expression is responsible for TFF and LFRs by IVF. The rs4316 polymorphism of ACE might be associated with infertility in those patients. We conclude that sperm lacking gACE may be recognized before commencing IVF and that the patients may be directed instead to consider intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
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30 April 2014
Human Sperm Devoid of Germinal Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Is Responsible for Total Fertilization Failure and Lower Fertilization Rates by Conventional In Vitro Fertilization
Le-Jun Li,
Feng-Bin Zhang,
Shu-Yuan Liu,
Yong-Hong Tian,
Fang Le,
Li-Ya Wang,
Hang-Ying Lou,
Xiang-Rong Xu,
He-Feng Huang,
Fan Jin
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Biology of Reproduction
Vol. 90 • No. 6
June 2014
Vol. 90 • No. 6
June 2014
conventional in vitro fertilization
germinal angiotensin-converting enzyme
lower fertilization rates
sperm
total fertilization failure