Evaluating γH2AX in spermatozoa from male infertility patients.

Objective: To investigate whether γH2AX levels were different in the spermatozoa of healthy men compared with infertility patients, and to assess the possible correlations between γH2AX and conventional semen parameters and double-stranded breaks (DSBs) identified with the use of comet assay.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Clinical laboratory.

[Phosphatidylserine and male reproduction].

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an amphiphilic phospholipid ubiquitously present in the inside of the membrane of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In mammalian cells, there are two synthetic pathways for PS that are different from those of bacterial biosynthesis. The translocation of sperm PS from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane is considered to be associated with sperm apoptosis and male infertility.