Differential proteomic profiling in human spermatozoa that did or did not result in pregnancy via IVF and AID

PurposeTo identify biochemical markers in men with idiopathic infertility and normal sperm counts. Experimental designWe obtained proteomic profiling proteins in human spermatozoa following successful or unsuccessful pregnancy via assisted reproductive technique (ART) using 6-plex tandem mass tag (TMT) isobaric MS. Our study design consisted of two groups: (i) The semen of six men whose sperm resulted in a clinical pregnancy following ART and (ii) six men whose semen did not result in a clinical pregnancy following ART. The results of differentiated MS were validated by Western blotting. Results and discussionA total of 2045 proteins were detected in our cohort. Twenty-one proteins were found to be differentially expressed (>1.2-fold) between Group 1 and Group 2. Using the results of bioinformatics analysis and Western blotting, three proteins (A2LD1, ATP1B3, and FBXO2) were shown to have the same differential pattern (p < 0.05) that was observed in the MS analysis. Conclusions and clinical relevanceProteomics may help identity a select cohort of men with normal semen parameters and aid infertility diagnoses.