Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis

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Study of the mechanisms  of human sperm apoptosis  by hepatitis B virus S protein

KANG Xiangjin1,DING Yue1,YANG Jie1,DU Hongzi1,LIU Jianqiao1,HUANG Tianhua2,*   

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Lab for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Key Lab for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Key Lab of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institute, Guangzhou 510150
  • Received:2014-11-19 Revised:2014-12-16 Online:2015-01-31 Published:2015-01-31

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of human sperm apoptosis by hepatitis B virus S protein. METHODS:After the co-incubation of sperms with 0,25,50 and 100 μg/mL HBS for 3 h,the externalization of membrane phosphatidylserine (PS);Caspase-3,-8,-9 activation and DNA fragmentation of human sperm were assessed. RESULTS:After incubation,the average rates of Annexin V–positive/propidium iodide (PI)-negative sperm,Caspase-3,-8,-9 positive sperm and TUNEL-positive sperm were significantly increased in the test groups as compared to those in the control groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION:HBs exposure could lead to PS externalization,activation of caspases,and DNA fragmentation,resulting in increased apoptosis of sperms and causing sperm dysfunction.

Key words: HBs, apoptosis, membrane with normal integrity, sperm function