Association of Paraoxonase Gene Polymorphisms With Sperm Parameters

Abstract

Paraoxonase (PON) is a high-density lipoproteinassociated enzyme that prevents low-density lipoprotein oxidation. PON proteins, localized in the seminiferous tubules and in spermatozoa, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of male infertility. In the present study, we sought to explore the contribution of the PON gene variants to sperm parameters. One hundred twenty oligospermic and 170 normozoospermic men were examined during infertility investigation. DNA was extracted from spermatozoa, and the PON1(L/M) 55, PON1(Q/R) 192, and PON2(S/C) 311 polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and digestion with restriction enzymes. The analysis revealed that oligospermic men presented PON1 55L/L, PON1 192Q/Q, and PON2 311S/S genotypes less frequently than normozoospermic men (P , .01, P , .01, and P , .001, respectively), whereas the PON1 55M, PON1 192R, and PON2 311C alleles were significantly increased in oligospermic men (P , .004, P , .008, and P , .008, respectively). The presence of PON1 55L allele was associated with higher sperm motility in oligospermic men (P , .001), in normozoospermic men (P , .01), and in the total study population (P , .01), and the PON1 192Q allele was associated with higher sperm motility in oligospermic men (P , .01), in normozoospermic men (P , .04) and in the total study population (P , .03). On the other hand, the PON2 311S was associated with higher sperm concentration in oligospermic men (P , .03), in normozoospermic men (P , .008), and in the total study population (P , .001). In our series, the PON1 55M and PON1 192R alleles were associated with decreased sperm motility whereas the PON2 311C allele was associated with decreased concentration, supporting the significance of PON genes in semen quality.

Genotype and phenotype frequencies of paraoxonase 1 in fertile and infertile men

“…In accordance with this finding, it has been reported that normozoospermic men with the PON1 192Q allele have higher sperm motility than carriers of the R allele [Lazaros et al 2011]. It is reported that the PON1 192 R allele carriers have lower PON1 activity and higher lipid peroxidation compared with Q allele carriers, which may explain the effect of various PON1 genotypes on sperm parameters [Costa et al 2003;Mackness et al 1998b].…”

“…Some studies have investigated the possible roles of this enzyme and its polymorphisms in male infertility [Corbo et al 2008;Volk et al 2011;Lazaros et al 2011]. In this study, we have examined the PON1 Q192R polymorphism (glutamine is replaced by arginine), plasma Table 2.…”

“…Distribution of PON1 phenotypes according to dividing saltstimulated paraoxonase by arylesterase activity in fertile and infertile groups (using 2 test) after adjusted for multiple comparisons (levels of HDL-C, LDL-C, and MDA in plasma). Volk et al [2011] reported no significant differences in the PON1 Q192R polymorphism between fertile and infertile men, Lazaros et al [2011] have reported a statistically higher frequency of the QQ genotype in normozoospermic compared with oligospermic Greek men, although they have not clarified whether normozoospermic men were fertile or infertile. Corbo et al [2008] have reported no association between QQ, QR, and RR genotypes of men and the number of their children in an Italian population.…”

“…Some studies have reported that the Q192R polymorphism of PON1 which modifies paraoxonase activity is associated with increased risk of male infertility [Corbo et al 2008;Lazaros et al 2011;Verit et al 2009;Volk et al 2011]. Lazaros et al [2011] have observed a significantly higher frequency of the QQ192 genotype in normozoospermic men compared with oligospermic patients. In addition, they have reported higher motility of sperm in men with the 192Q allele and increased sperm concentration in the PON2 311S allele.…”

“…In addition, they have reported higher motility of sperm in men with the 192Q allele and increased sperm concentration in the PON2 311S allele. They hypothesized that paraoxonase may affect spermatogenesis and thus the quality of human sperm [Lazaros et al 2011], although Volk et al [2011] did not observe significant differences in the frequency of the PON1 Q192R genotypes between fertile and infertile men. In another study, it was reported that the PON1 QQ192 genotype was associated with increased sperm DNA damage and thus risk of male infertility [Ji et al 2012].…”