-repeat polymorphism in the tissue plasminogen activator () gene, seminal t-PA concentration, and male fertility impairment: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a protein involved in the fibrinolytic system that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen into the active plasmin. The activity of t-PA is controlled by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. t-PA has crucial functions during spermatogenesis. One polymorphism was reported for gene, either the presence of a 300-bp -repeat ( ) or its absence ( ).

OBJECTIVE

The current work aimed at studying the association between polymorphism in the gene and male infertility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using polymerase chain reaction on genomic DNA isolated from the blood of 79 participants, a region polymorphic for element insertion in gene was amplified. In addition, total t-PA concentration, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 /t-PA complex concentration, and t-PA activity in seminal plasma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The results indicate that the percentage of infertile participants (n = 50) who were homozygous for insertion ( ), heterozygous or homozygous for deletion ( ) did not change significantly (p = 0.43, 0.81, and 0.85, respectively) when compared with the control participants (n = 29). On the other hand, a significant decrease (p = 0.0001) of t-PA total concentration in seminal plasma was observed in the infertile group in comparison with the control group. However, the results indicate that there is no association between the different genotypes and the total t-PA seminal concentration in the infertile group when compared to the control group (p = 0.63).

CONCLUSION

Data obtained from the current study does not support an association between polymorphism and t-PA seminal concentration or male infertility.