Comparative study of gene expression in patients with varicocele by microarray technology

The aim of the present study was to evaluate gene expression profile by microarray technology and validation by real-time PCR in paired samples of testicular biopsies (pre-surgery and post-surgery) in two patients with varicocele. The microarray analysis showed increased expression levels after surgery in 215 and 52 genes in patient 1 and 2, respectively, as well as decreased expression levels in 65 genes in patient 1 and 358 genes in patient 2. Real-time PCR confirmed the differential expression of the five selected genes: MT1M, PHLDA1 and INSL3 had decreased expression levels and CCIN and PRM2 increased expression levels compared with pre-surgery biopsies. In conclusion, both techniques showed decreased expression levels of genes involved in stress situations associated with varicocele and increased expression levels of genes involved in normal function of spermatogenesis.