Alterations in Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) Expression in Sperm of Individuals with Oligozoospermia and Severe Oligozoospermia

Ayla İzmitli; Esra Önal; Menekşe Ülger; Derya Karabulut; Ercan Mustafa Aygen; Birkan Yakan

doi:10.46871/eams.1648052

Research Article

Oligozoospermi ve Şiddetli Oligozoospermi Olan Bireylerin Sperminde Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) Ekspresyonundaki Değişiklikler

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 160 - 172, 29.07.2025

Ayla İzmitli , Esra Önal , Menekşe Ülger , Derya Karabulut , Ercan Mustafa Aygen , Birkan Yakan

https://doi.org/10.46871/eams.1648052

Abstract

Aim:Infertility, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse, is categorized as either female or male infertility. Male infertility is often associated with impairments in sperm quality and function. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), particularly HSP70, play a critical role as molecular chaperones, protecting cells from stress-induced damage by stabilizing proteins and ensuring proper folding. However, the relationship between HSP70 expression and male infertility has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate HSP70 expression in sperm samples from individuals with normal, oligozoospermic, and severe oligozoospermic profiles using immunocytochemical techniques.
Material and Methods: Sperm samples were obtained from the In Vitro Fertilization Unit of *** University and divided into three groups: Control (>20 million/ml sperm), Oligozoospermic (<15 million/ml), and Severe Oligozoospermic (<5 million/ml). Samples were stained for HSP70, and hormone levels (testosterone, FSH, and LH) were evaluated.
Results: HSP70 expression was significantly elevated in the Oligozoospermic group compared to the Control group but decreased in the Severe Oligozoospermic group, reaching levels comparable to the Control group. Hormonal analyses revealed altered levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH in both oligozoospermic groups.
Conclusion: These findings suggest increased HSP70 expression in oligozoospermic individuals reflects intracellular disruptions, potentially linked to hormonal dysregulation and organ dysfunction. Such alterations may affect sperm parameters, including morphology, motility, and count. While this study demonstrates a relationship between HSP70 expression and sperm abnormalities under stress conditions, further research is needed to confirm these mechanisms and explore their broader implications.

Keywords

Erkek infertilitesi , HSP70 , oligozoospermi

Project Number

yok

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