Giulio Ferrero, Rosaria Festa, Laura Follia, Gennaro Lettieri, Sonia Tarallo, Tiziana Notari, Antonella Giarra, Carmela Marinaro, Barbara Pardini, Alessandra Marano, Giulia Piaggeschi, Carla Di Battista, Marco Trifuoggi, Marina Piscopo, Luigi Montano, Alessio Naccarati
BACKGROUND: Molecular techniques can complement conventional spermiogram analyses to provide new information on the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa and to identify early alterations due to environmental pollution. METHODS: Here, we present a multilevel molecular profiling by small RNA sequencing and sperm nuclear basic protein analysis of male germ cells from 33 healthy young subjects residing in low and high-polluted areas. RESULTS: Although sperm motility and sperm concentration were comparable between samples from the two sites, those from the high-pollution area had a higher concentration of immature/immune cells, a lower protamine/histone ratio, a reduced ability of sperm nuclear basic proteins to protect DNA from oxidative damage, and an altered copper/zinc ratio in sperm...
January 20, 2024: Molecular Medicine