Aim: To evaluate the expression and significance of cell cycle molecules in human normal and azoospermia testes.
Methods: A cDNA microarray containing cDNA of some cell cycle molecules was used to identify the differential gene expression profiles between normal and azoospermic testes. cDNA probes were prepared by labeling mRNA from normal and testis tissues with Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP, respectively, through reverse transcription. Then the mixed cDNA probes were hybridized with cDNA microarray. The fluorescent signals were scanned, and the values of Cy5-dUTP and Cy3-dUTP on each spot were analyzed and calculated. After that an ISH was employed to detect the expression of CDC10 mRNA in ten fertility and thirty-nine azoospermic testes, whose expression level was compared to evaluate the significance.
Results: The genes which were differentially expressed in azoospermic testes were found, among which the expression of CDC7L1 and CDC10 was up-regulated but the expression of CDK9, CDC20 and CLK3 was down- regulated. The mRNA expression of CDC10 was confirmed to be stronger in spermatogenic cells of normal fertility compared with that of azoospermic testes by in situ hybridization.
Conclusion: The cell cycle molecules such as CDC10, CDC7L1, CDK9, CDC20 and CLK3 may play a role in the development and progression of azoospermia.