OBJECTIVETo compare the proteomic differences between normal and necrozoospermic human spermatozoa.

METHODSWe isolated proteins from 30 ejaculates of 10 healthy donors and 3 specimens of a necrozoospermia patient by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), analyzed their 2-DE maps and identified some differentially expressed proteins by mass spectrometry.

RESULTSA total of (905 +/- 57) and (792 +/- 28) proteins were isolated from the spermatozoal maps of the normal and necrozoospermic men, respectively, and 178 found to be differentially expressed in that of the necrozoospermia patient. The 6 missing protein spots in the necrozoospermic map were identified as sperm protein (human, accession No. 060904), zinc finger protein 174 (AW-1), F-actin capping protein alpha-3 subunit, testis-specific inhibitor of apoptosis, death domain receptor 3 soluble form (fragment) and peptide similar to the activator of CREM in the testis.

CONCLUSIONSix missing protein spots were identified in the necrozoospermic spermatozoal map which may be associated with the development of necrozoospermia.