Daniel Suslik Zylbersztejn

Proteomic analysis of seminal plasma in adolescents with and without varicocele

OBJECTIVE To compare proteomic profiles of seminal plasma from adolescents with varicocele and changes in semen quality with the plasma from adolescents with varicocele without seminal changes and from adolescents without varicocele. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING Patients in an academic research environment. PATIENT(S) Adolescents without varicocele (control group), adolescents with varicocele and normal semen quality (VNS group), adolescents with varicocele and abnormal semen quality (VAS group). INTERVENTION(S) Two semen collections at 1-week interval. Protein separation by two-dimensional protein electrophoresis, analysis by gel densitometry, and identification by mass spectrometry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Overexpressed proteins in each group, observed by increased densitometric signal in gels, and exclusively identified proteins in each group. RESULT(S) No differences were observed among the three groups regarding clinical parameters. In semen analysis, the VAS group presented lower sperm concentration, motility, and morphology compared with the VNS and control groups. Forty-seven protein spots of interest were submitted to mass spectrometry identification. Apoptosis regulation proteins were overexpressed in the VAS group, whereas spermatogenesis proteins were overexpressed in the VNS group. Controls presented proteins related to homeostasis. CONCLUSION(S) Changes in the proteomic profile of adolescents with varicocele and normal semen parameters (VNS group) indicate that normal semen analysis may not reflect alterations in proteins in seminal plasma. Implementation of proteomics will help characterize proteins identified in seminal plasma and will facilitate detection of new proteins associated with spermatogenesis and sperm function.

Differences in the seminal plasma proteome are associated with oxidative stress levels in men with normal semen parameters

OBJECTIVE To study the seminal plasma proteome in association with semen lipid peroxidation levels in men with normal semen parameters. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING University andrology and research laboratories. PATIENT(S) A total of 156 normozoospermic men. INTERVENTION(S) Seminal lipid peroxidation levels were assessed in individual samples through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances quantification. Subsequently, lipid peroxidation data were used to divide the samples into the experimental groups: low lipid peroxidation levels (control group, bottom 15%, n = 23) and high lipid peroxidation levels (study group, top 15%, n = 23). Seminal plasma proteins from these groups were pooled (four pools per group, with biological variation between the pools) and used for a shotgun proteomic analysis using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach. Quantitative data were used for univariate (unpaired Students t test) and multivariate (partial least-squares discriminant analysis, logistic regression, and discriminant analyses) statistical analyses. Significant proteins were also used for functional enrichment analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Seminal plasma protein profile and postgenomic pathways of seminal plasma are associated with seminal lipid peroxidation levels. RESULT(S) In total, 629 proteins were quantified in seminal plasma. Of these, 23 proteins were absent or underexpressed and 71 were exclusive or overexpressed in the study group. The main enriched functions in association with seminal lipid peroxidation were unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis, oxidants and antioxidants activity, cellular response to heat stress, and immune response. Moreover, we suggested mucin-5B as a potential biomarker of semen oxidative stress. CONCLUSION(S) The seminal plasma proteome does reflect semen lipid peroxidation status and, thus, oxidative stress.

Lipidomics analysis of follicular fluid by ESI-MS reveals potential biomarkers for ovarian endometriosis

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to analyze the lipid profile of follicular fluid from patients with endometriosis and endometrioma who underwent in vitro fertilization treatment (IVF).MethodsThe control group (n = 10) was composed of women with tubal factor or minimal male factor infertility who had positive pregnancy outcomes after IVF. The endometriosis group consisted of women with endometriosis diagnosed by videolaparoscopy (n = 10), and from the same patients, the endometriomas fluids were collected, which composed the endometrioma group (n = 10). From the follicular fluid and endometriomas, lipids were extracted by the Bligh and Dyer method, and the samples were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsWe observed phosphatidylglycerol phosphate, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylnositol bisphosphate in the control group. In the endometriosis group, sphingolipids and phosphatidylcholines were more abundant, while in the endometrioma group, sphingolipids and phosphatidylcholines with different m/z from the endometriosis group were found in high abundance.ConclusionThis analysis demonstrated that there is a differential representation of these lipids according to their respective groups. In addition, the lipids found are involved in important mechanisms related to endometriosis progress in the ovary. Thus, the metabolomic approach for the study of lipids may be helpful in potential biomarker discovery.

Analysis of the functional aspects and seminal plasma proteomic profile of sperm from smokers

To evaluate the effect of smoking on sperm functional quality and seminal plasma proteomic profile.

Sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation rate is associated with differential protein expression and enriched functions in human seminal plasma.

To analyse the proteomic profile of seminal plasma with the aim of identifying the proteins and post‐genomic pathways associated with sperm DNA fragmentation.

Follicular fluid alterations in endometriosis: label-free proteomics by MSE as a functional tool for endometriosis

Abstract Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition that affects 10-32% of women of reproductive age and may lead to infertility. The study of protein profiles in follicular fluid may assist in elucidating possible biomarkers related to this disease. For this, follicular fluid samples were obtained from women with tubal factor or minimal male factor infertility who had pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (control group, n = 10), women with endometriosis (endometriosis group, n = 10), along with the endometrioma from these same patients were included (endometrioma group, n = 10). For proteomic analysis, samples were pooled according to their respective groups and normalized to protein content. Proteins were analyzed by in tandem mass spectrometry (MSE) Spectra processing and the ProteinLynx Global Server v.2.5. was used for database searching. Data was submitted to the biological network analysis using Cytoscape 2.8.2 with ClueGO plugin. As a result, 535 proteins were identified among all groups. The control group differentially or uniquely expressed 33 (6%) proteins and equal expression of 98 (18%) proteins was observed in the control and endometriosis groups of which 41 (7%) proteins were further identified and/or quantified. Six (1%) proteins were observed in both the endometriosis and endometrioma groups, but 212 (39%) proteins were exclusively identified and/or quantified in the endometrioma group. There were 9 (1%) proteins observed in both the control and endometrioma groups and there were 139 (25%) proteins common among all three groups. Distinct differences among the protein profiles in the follicular fluid of patients included in this study were found, identifying proteins related to the disease progression and IVF success. Thus, some pathways related to endometriosis are associated with the presence of specific proteins, as well as the absence of others. This study provides a first step to the development of more sensitive diagnostic tests and treatment.

Association between the seminal plasma proteome and sperm functional traits

OBJECTIVE To analyze the seminal plasma proteome and biological functions associated with sperm functional alterations. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING University andrology and research laboratories. PATIENT(S) A total of 156 normozoospermic men. INTERVENTION(S) Sperm mitochondrial activity, acrosome integrity, and DNA fragmentation were evaluated in a semen aliquot. Remaining semen was centrifuged, and seminal plasma was utilized for proteomic analysis (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). Patients were divided into percentiles (15%) to form the following groups: substudy 1, high (control, n = 26) and low (study, n = 23) sperm mitochondrial activity; substudy 2, high (control, n = 23) and low (study, n = 22) sperm acrosome integrity; and substudy 3, low (control, n = 22) and high (study, n = 22) sperm DNA fragmentation. Groups were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. Differentially expressed proteins were used for functional enrichment analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Seminal plasma proteome and postgenomic pathways are associated with several sperm functional traits. RESULT(S) In total, 506, 493, and 464 proteins were observed in substudies 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Enriched functions in substudy 1 were intramolecular oxidoreductase activity, aminoglycans catabolism, endopeptidases inhibition, lysosomes, and acute-phase response (study group). In substudy 2, main enriched functions were phospholipase inhibition, arachidonic acid metabolism, exocytosis, regulation of acute inflammation, response to hydrogen peroxide, and lysosomal transport (study group). In substudy 3, enriched functions were prostaglandin biosynthesis and fatty acid binding (study group). We proposed eight, six, and eight seminal biomarkers for substudies 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CONCLUSION(S) Seminal plasma proteome reflects sperm mitochondrial activity reduction, acrosome damage, and DNA fragmentation, with several postgenomic functions related to these alterations.

Determination of testicular function in adolescents with varicocoele – a proteomics approach

The goal of this study was to determine seminal plasma biomarkers of testicular function in adolescents with varicocoele and to verify enriched gene ontology terms associated to these differential proteomes. An observational study was carried out in an academic research environment. A total of 77 adolescent patients were recruited from a local public school, of which 23 were without varicocoele and with normal semen analysis (control group), 37 were with varicocoele and normal semen (VNS) parameters, and 17 were with varicocoele and altered semen (VAS) parameters. Two semen collections were provided with a 1‐week interval, after 2–5 days of ejaculatory abstinence. Seminal plasma proteins were identified and quantified utilizing a label‐free shotgun proteomics approach, generating (i) proteins differentially expressed in each group (control, VNS, and VAS) and putative biomarkers using multivariate statistics followed by discriminant analysis. Confirmatory analysis was performed for two proteins by western blotting. Enriched biological processes and molecular functions were determined using gene ontology analysis. In total, 541 proteins were identified and quantified: 108 exclusive or overexpressed in controls, 26 in the VNS group, and 13 in the VAS group. The suggested biomarkers are Cab45/SDF4 (Q9BRK5), protein lefty‐1 (O75610), DNase I (P24855), PAP2‐alpha (O14494), IBP‐7 (Q16270), HDC (P01860), and CRISP‐3 (P54108). Western blotting results showed that Cab45 was significantly underexpressed in both varicocoele groups, and CRISP‐3 was significantly overexpressed in seminal plasma of adolescents with VAS. In conclusion, specific biomarkers of spermatogenesis and homeostasis are observed in adolescents without varicocoele, and the presence of a palpable varicocoele progressively shifts these adolescents toward initially an immune response, and finally toward a chronic inflammatory profile. This shift is accompanied by decreased semen quality.

Follicular fluid lipid fingerprinting from women with PCOS and hyper response during IVF treatment

PurposePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine-metabolic disorder that leads to lower natural reproductive potential and presents a challenge for assisted reproductive medicine because patients may exhibit immature oocyte retrieval and a higher risk of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. This study aimed to identify potential lipid biomarkers for women with PCOS and a hyper response to controlled ovarian stimulation.MethodsFollicular fluid samples were collected from patients who underwent IVF, including normal responder women who became pregnant (control group, n = 11), women with PCOS and a hyper response to gonadotropins (PCOS group, n = 7) and women with only hyper response to gonadotropins (HR group, n = 7). A lipidomic analysis was performed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and candidate biomarkers were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry experiment.ResultsThe lipid profiles indicated particularities related to differences in phosphatidylcholine (PCOS and HR), phosphatidylserine, phosphatydilinositol and phosphatidylglycerol (control), sphingolipids (PCOS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (control and HR).ConclusionsThese findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with lipid metabolism in the PCOS-related hyper response, and strongly suggest that these lipids may be useful as biomarkers, leading to the development of more individualized treatment for pregnancy outcome.

Hyaluronidase Alters the Lipid Profile of Cumulus Cells as Detected by MALDI-TOF MS and Multivariate Analysis

This research aimed to study the changes in lipid composition in cumulus cells using hyaluronidase according to the intracytoplasmic sperm injection protocol commonly used in human reproduction clinics. The lipid extraction was performed by the Blight-Dyer protocol and the lipid profiles were obtained by MALDI-TOF MS in positive and negative modes. The mass spectra data were processed with MassLynx and the statistical analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 2.0. Fifteen ions were selected for each mode as potential markers for differences between the groups. These ions were identified in the human metabolome database as phosphatidylserine with and without treatment, phosphatidylethanolamine in the after treatment group and phosphatidylinositol in the before treatment group, which are lipids that may be involved in cell apoptosis and signaling. We concluded that MALDI-TOF MS coupled with multivariate analysis can be utilized as a strategy to obtain and study the lipid profiles of cumulus cells and as a tool to study the metabolic state of cumulus cells.