Evaluation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor1 Alpha (HIF1) in semen sample of infertile men with varicocele in comparison with fertile individuals

Background: Varicocele is an abnormal dilation and torsion of the spermatic cord in the upper part of testis in the pampiniform network. The level hydrostatic pressure increases in these individuals and could lead to testicular ischemia, hyperthermia and under hypoxic conditions or reduced blood flow, diffusion of oxygen is reduce and this reduction may trigger activation of several molecules, like hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF1-alpha). Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed to compare hypoxia marker (HIF-1) between infertile men with varicocele and fertile individuals.Methods: Semen samples were collected from 20 men with primary infertility enduring grade II or III varicocele upon palpation which was confirmed by Doppler duplex ultrasound and 20 fertile men. Sperm parameters were assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 guidelines. For assessment of HIF1alpha, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis was carried out for Real -Time PCR.Result: Significant differences were observed between fertile and infertile men with varicocele for sperm parameters. Expression of HIF-1alpha was significantly higher in infertile men with varicocele compared to fertile individuals.Conclusion: The results of this study, for the first time, indicate that level of HIF-1 alpha was higher in infertile men with varicocele due to pathogenic conditions in these individuals. However, further studies are needed for confirming this result in the larger population.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hypoxia ، Varicocele ، Infertile men