Sezgin Gunes

Verified @omu.edu.tr

Medical biology
Ondokuz mayis University

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Molecular Medicine, Multidisciplinary, Molecular Biology, Urology

91

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Investigation of sperm hsa-mir-145-5p and MLH1 expressions, seminal oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation in varicocele
    Neslihan Hekim, Sezgin Gunes, Sercan Ergun, Elzem Nisa Barhan, and Ramazan Asci

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

  • Insertional Variations of Human Endogenous Virus K6 and K11 in Normozoospermic Men
    Neslihan Hekim, Sezgin Gunes, Sercan Ergun, and Ramazan Asci

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

  • The Interrelationship Between FYN and miR-128/193a-5p/494 in Imatinib Resistance in Prostate Cancer
    Sercan Ergün, Oğuzhan Akgün, Neslihan Taşkurt Hekim, Senanur Aslan, Ferda Ari, Sezgin Güneş, and Ümmet Abur

    Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
    Background: C-KIT is a receptor tyrosine kinase with oncogenic properties overexpressed in PCa cases. Through the use of an alternative promoter, a truncated c-KIT protein (tr-KIT) of 30-50 kDa is generated, lacking the extracellular and transmembrane domain. Tr-KIT promotes the formation of a multi-molecular complex composed by Fyn, Plcγ1 and Sam68. Imatinib blocks the activity of full-length c-KIT but has no effect on tr-KIT. LNCaP is the human PCa cell line that shows tr-KIT overexpression and PC3 does not show tr-KIT overexpression. miR-128/193a-5p/494 are miRNAs targeting FYN, PLCγ1 and SAM68 combinatorily. The question of the study is that: can miR-128/193a-5p/494 be related with imatinib resistance in PCa? Method: LNCaP and PC3 cells were treated with imatinib in IC50 doses. Before and after imatinib administration, RNA was isolated and cDNA conversion was performed. By qPCR analysis, expression changes of tr-KIT specific pathway elements and miR-128/193a-5p/494 analyzed before and after imatinib administration. Results: After imatinib administration, miR-128/193a-5p/494 were overexpressed statistically significantly in LNCaP cells while they were downregulated statistically significantly in PC3 cells (p<0.05). Also, FYN was upregulated in LNCaP cells (p<0.05) but there was no change in PC3 after imatinib administration. Conclusion: Especially upregulation of FYN may sponge miR128/193a-5p/494 and downregulate their transcriptional activity in LNCaP cells having tr-KIT acitivity. So, miR-128/193a-5p/494 may have critical role in imatinib resistance via tr-KIT pathway.

  • Controversy and Consensus on Indications for Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in Male Infertility: A Global Survey, Current Guidelines, and Expert Recommendations
    Ashok Agarwal, Ala’a Farkouh, Ramadan Saleh, Taha Abo-Almagd Abdel-Meguid Hamoda, Ahmed M. Harraz, Parviz Kavoussi, Mohamed Arafa, Gianmaria Salvio, Amarnath Rambhatla, Tuncay Toprak,et al.

    XMLink
    Purpose Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing was recently added to the sixth edition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Many conditions and risk factors have been associated with elevated SDF; therefore, it is important to identify the population of infertile men who might benefit from this test. The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to indications for SDF testing, compare the relevant professional society guideline recommendations, and provide expert recommendations. Materials and Methods Clinicians managing male infertility were invited to take part in a global online survey on SDF clinical practices. This was conducted following the CHERRIES checklist criteria. The responses were compared to professional society guideline recommendations related to SDF and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations on indications for SDF testing were then formulated, and the Delphi method was used to reach consensus. Results The survey was completed by 436 experts from 55 countries. Almost 75% of respondents test for SDF in all or some men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, 39% order it routinely in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 62.2% investigate SDF in smokers. While 47% of reproductive urologists test SDF to support the decision for varicocele repair surgery when conventional semen parameters are normal, significantly fewer general urologists (23%; p=0.008) do the same. Nearly 70% would assess SDF before assisted reproductive technologies (ART), either always or for certain conditions. Recurrent ART failure is a common indication for SDF testing. Very few society recommendations were found regarding SDF testing. Conclusions This article presents the largest global survey on the indications for SDF testing in infertile men, and demonstrates diverse practices. Furthermore, it highlights the paucity of professional society guideline recommendations. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians.

  • Burden of infectious disease studies in Europe and the United Kingdom: a review of methodological design choices
    Periklis Charalampous, Juanita A. Haagsma, Lea S. Jakobsen, Vanessa Gorasso, Isabel Noguer, Alicia Padron-Monedero, Rodrigo Sarmiento, João Vasco Santos, Scott A. McDonald, Dietrich Plass,et al.

    Cambridge University Press (CUP)
    Abstract This systematic literature review aimed to provide an overview of the characteristics and methods used in studies applying the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) concept for infectious diseases within European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA)/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the United Kingdom. Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for articles reporting the assessment of DALY and its components. We considered studies in which researchers performed DALY calculations using primary epidemiological data input sources. We screened 3053 studies of which 2948 were excluded and 105 studies met our inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 22 were multi-country and 83 were single-country studies, of which 46 were from the Netherlands. Food- and water-borne diseases were the most frequently studied infectious diseases. Between 2015 and 2022, the number of burden of infectious disease studies was 1.6 times higher compared to that published between 2000 and 2014. Almost all studies (97%) estimated DALYs based on the incidence- and pathogen-based approach and without social weighting functions; however, there was less methodological consensus with regards to the disability weights and life tables that were applied. The number of burden of infectious disease studies undertaken across Europe has increased over time. Development and use of guidelines will promote performing burden of infectious disease studies and facilitate comparability of the results.

  • Clinical, cytogenomic, and molecular characterization of isodicentric Y-chromosome and prediction of testicular sperm retrieval outcomes in azoospermic and severe oligozoospermic infertile men
    Ummet Abur, Sezgin Gunes, Neslihan Hekim, Omer Salih Akar, Engin Altundag, and Ramazan Asci

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC


  • Impact of Varicocele Repair on Semen Parameters in Infertile Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Ashok Agarwal, Rossella Cannarella, Ramadan Saleh, Florence Boitrelle, Murat Gül, Tuncay Toprak, Gianmaria Salvio, Mohamed Arafa, Giorgio I. Russo, Ahmed M. Harraz,et al.

    XMLink
    Purpose Despite the significant role of varicocele in the pathogenesis of male infertility, the impact of varicocele repair (VR) on conventional semen parameters remains controversial. Only a few systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) have evaluated the impact of VR on sperm concentration, total motility, and progressive motility, mostly using a before-after analytic approach. No SRMA to date has evaluated the change in conventional semen parameters after VR compared to untreated controls. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of VR on conventional semen parameters in infertile patients with clinical varicocele compared to untreated controls. Materials and Methods A literature search was performed using Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases following the Population Intervention Comparison Outcome (PICOS) model (Population: infertile patients with clinical varicocele; Intervention: VR [any technique]; Comparison: infertile patients with clinical varicocele that were untreated; Outcome: sperm concentration, sperm total count, progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility, sperm morphology, and semen volume; Study type: randomized controlled trials and observational studies). Results A total of 1,632 abstracts were initially assessed for eligibility. Sixteen studies were finally included with a total of 2,420 infertile men with clinical varicocele (1,424 patients treated with VR vs. 996 untreated controls). The analysis showed significantly improved post-operative semen parameters in patients compared to controls with regards to sperm concentration (standardized mean difference [SMD] 1.739; 95% CI 1.129 to 2.349; p<0.001; I2=97.6%), total sperm count (SMD 1.894; 95% CI 0.566 to 3.222; p<0.05; I2=97.8%), progressive sperm motility (SMD 3.301; 95% CI 2.164 to 4.437; p<0.01; I2=98.5%), total sperm motility (SMD 0.887; 95% CI 0.036 to 1.738; p=0.04; I2=97.3%) and normal sperm morphology (SMD 1.673; 95% CI 0.876 to 2.470; p<0.05; I2=98.5%). All the outcomes showed a high inter-study heterogeneity, but the sensitivity analysis showed that no study was sensitive enough to change these results. Publication bias was present only in the analysis of the sperm concentration and progressive motility. No significant difference was found for the semen volume (SMD 0.313; 95% CI -0.242 to 0.868; I2=89.7%). Conclusions This study provides a high level of evidence in favor of a positive effect of VR to improve conventional semen parameters in infertile men with clinical varicocele. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first SRMA to compare changes in conventional semen parameters after VR with changes in parameters of a control group over the same period. This is in contrast to other SRMAs which have compared semen parameters before and after VR, without reference to a control group. Our findings strengthen the available evidence and have a potential to upgrade professional societies’ practice recommendations favoring VR to improve conventional semen parameters in infertile men.

  • Follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit and receptor variations in infertile men in Central Black Sea Region of Turkey
    Neslihan Hekim, Mehmet Aydin, Sezgin Gunes, and Ramazan Asci

    Hindawi Limited
    Genetic variants affecting the interaction of FSH–FSHR may negatively affect the male reproductive potential. The aim of this case–control study was to evaluate FSHB c.–211G>T and FSHR c.2039A>G variants in a cohort of infertile men from Central Black Sea Region in Turkey. One hundred and nine infertile men and 50 proven fertile controls were enrolled in the study. Genotyping was assessed by RFLP. The genotype frequencies of FSHB –211G>T and FSHR 2039A>G showed significant variation between infertile and fertile groups (χ2, p = 0.046, GG vs. GT+TT, and p = 0.008, AA vs. AG+GG). FSHB –211GG was found to be higher in patients with OAT compared to fertile controls (82.3% vs. 64.0%, χ2, p = 0.028). The distribution of FSHR 2039A>G alleles was different between infertile and fertile men (χ2, p = 0.005, total infertile vs. fertile groups, p = 0.019, OAT vs. NOA vs. fertile groups). Further analysis showed that the frequencies of FSHR 2039AA wild‐type genotype were higher in the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and non‐obstructive azoospermic groups compared with the controls (χ2, 39.3% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.012, and 37.5% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.025 respectively). Our results showed wild‐types of FSHB –211G>T and FSHR 2039A>G variants may cause susceptibility to male infertility in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey.

  • In silico analysis of microRNA genes in azoospermia factor Y-chromosome microdeletions
    Sercan Ergun, Sezgin Gunes, Neslihan Hekim, and Sandro C. Esteves

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC

  • Polymorphisms of androgens-related genes and idiopathic male infertility in Turkish men
    Asli Metin Mahmutoglu, Saadiq Hurre Dirie, Neslihan Hekim, Sezgin Gunes, Ramazan Asci, and Ralf Henkel

    Hindawi Limited
    Androgens, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are endocrine regulators of spermatogenesis and act via androgen receptor (AR). The aim of this study was to investigate the association(s) of AR (CAG repeat length), SRD5A2 (rs523349, V89L) and TNF‐α (rs1800629, ‐308G/A) polymorphisms with idiopathic male infertility in Turkish men. This case‐control study consisted of 312 men with idiopathic infertility and 113 fertile men. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) or PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism methods were used for genotyping. The mean AR CAG repeat length was significantly longer in infertile men than in fertile men (p = 0.015). However, there was no significant association between the SRD5A2 genotypes (VV, VL and LL) and the risk of infertility (p = 0.516). The genotype frequency and allele distribution of TNF‐α ‐308G/A polymorphism (GG, GA, AA genotypes and G, A alleles) were not associated with male infertility (p = 0.779 and p = 0.743 respectively). AR CAG repeat expansion might be one of the risk factors for idiopathic male infertility in Turkish men. Further studies investigating the association of male infertility with AR CAG, V89L and ‐308G/A polymorphisms are warranted to understand the possible associations among them.

  • Association among sperm chromatin condensation, sperm DNA fragmentation and 8-OHdG in seminal plasma and semen parameters in infertile men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
    Dilara Hologlu, Sezgin Gunes, Ramazan Asci, Ralf Henkel, and Tolga Guvenc

    Hindawi Limited
    The present study aimed to investigate the clinical role of standard sperm diagnosis parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology) as well as aniline blue staining of histones, 8-OHdG, TUNEL assay were performed on semen samples in infertile men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). Thirty-two infertile and ten proven fertile men were included in the study. Chromatin condensation sperm in infertile men was significantly lower compared to the fertile men (p < 0.0001). Age, sperm concentration, morphology and motility were significantly negatively correlated with chromatin condensation (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlations among the chromatin condensation, SDF and sperm DNA damage were detected in terms of 8-OHdG concentration.

  • Consensus and Diversity in the Management of Varicocele for Male Infertility: Results of a Global Practice Survey and Comparison with Guidelines and Recommendations
    Rupin Shah, Ashok Agarwal, Parviz Kavoussi, Amarnath Rambhatla, Ramadan Saleh, Rossella Cannarella, Ahmed M. Harraz, Florence Boitrelle, Shinnosuke Kuroda, Taha Abo-Almagd Abdel-Meguid Hamoda,et al.

    Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology
    Purpose Varicocele is a common problem among infertile men. Varicocele repair (VR) is frequently performed to improve semen parameters and the chances of pregnancy. However, there is a lack of consensus about the diagnosis, indications for VR and its outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore global practice patterns on the management of varicocele in the context of male infertility. Materials and Methods Sixty practicing urologists/andrologists from 23 countries contributed 382 multiple-choice-questions pertaining to varicocele management. These were condensed into an online questionnaire that was forwarded to clinicians involved in male infertility management through direct invitation. The results were analyzed for disagreement and agreement in practice patterns and, compared with the latest guidelines of international professional societies (American Urological Association [AUA], American Society for Reproductive Medicine [ASRM], and European Association of Urology [EAU]), and with evidence emerging from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Additionally, an expert opinion on each topic was provided based on the consensus of 16 experts in the field. Results The questionnaire was answered by 574 clinicians from 59 countries. The majority of respondents were urologists/uro-andrologists. A wide diversity of opinion was seen in every aspect of varicocele diagnosis, indications for repair, choice of technique, management of sub-clinical varicocele and the role of VR in azoospermia. A significant proportion of the responses were at odds with the recommendations of AUA, ASRM, and EAU. A large number of clinical situations were identified where no guidelines are available. Conclusions This study is the largest global survey performed to date on the clinical management of varicocele for male infertility. It demonstrates: 1) a wide disagreement in the approach to varicocele management, 2) large gaps in the clinical practice guidelines from professional societies, and 3) the need for further studies on several aspects of varicocele management in infertile men.

  • Methylation patterns of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene promoter in infertile males
    Tuba Kulac, Neslihan Hekim, Fatih Kocamanoglu, Cengiz Beyaz, Sezgin Gunes, and Ramazan Asci

    Hindawi Limited
    Errors of folate/homocysteine pathways which are critical for transferring methyl groups have been suggested to affect male fertility. We aimed to evaluate the methylation patterns of the promoter of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in infertile males and to investigate the association between MTHFR promoter methylation and success of sperm retrieval. Thirty‐five nonobstructive azoospermic and 46 severe oligozoospermic patients constituted the study group and were compared with 49 fertile and/or normozoospermic men. The methylation status was analysed by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. MTHFR promoter methylation was detected in infertile men with NOA and SO in the ratio of 48.6% and 58.7%, respectively. Methylation was also observed in 51% of controls. MTHFR promoter was methylated in 65% of men with viable spermatozoon during TESE. No association was found regarding to the profile of MTHFR promoter methylation between both NOA and SO patients and controls (p = .621). There was no relation between the methylation status of MTHFR promoter and low motility and poor morphology (p = .682 and p = .413, respectively). No association was found between MTHFR promoter methylation and presence of viable spermatozoa (p = .382). Our data indicate that the promoter methylation of MTHFR gene may not be associated with male infertility.

  • Association of XRCC1 and ERCC2 promoters’ methylation with chromatin condensation and sperm DNA fragmentation in idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men
    Asli Metin Mahmutoglu, Sezgin Gunes, Ramazan Asci, Ralf Henkel, and Oguz Aydin

    Hindawi Limited
    The aim of the study was to investigate whether the promoter methylation of XRCC1 and ERCC2 genes is associated with sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation in idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men. This study involved 77 infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and 51 normozoospermic controls. The methylight method, TUNEL assay and aniline blue staining were used for the evaluation of XRCC1 and ERCC2 genes’ methylation, SDF and sperm chromatin condensation, respectively. SDF (p = .004) and XRCC1 methylation (p = .0056) were found to be significantly higher in men with idiopathic OAT than in the controls, while mature spermatozoa frequency was higher in controls as compared to infertile men (p < .0001). No significant association was found between SDF and methylation of XRCC1 and ERCC2 genes (p = .9277 and p = .8257, respectively). However, compared to the cut‐off point obtained by receiver operating characteristic analysis, a significant association was found between SDF and XRCC1 methylation, positive and negative methylation groups, generated according to the cut‐off value for XRCC1. XRCC1 methylation was found to have a significant effect on chromatin condensation (p = .0017). No significant difference was detected among ERCC2 methylation, male infertility and SDF. In conclusion, XRCC1 methylation may have a role in sperm chromatin condensation and idiopathic OAT.

  • Semiquantitative promoter methylation of MLH1 and MSH2 genes and their impact on sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation in infertile men
    Neslihan Hekim, Sezgin Gunes, Ramazan Asci, Ralf Henkel, and Ummet Abur

    Hindawi Limited
    To investigate the semiquantitative methylation alterations of MLH1 and MSH2 and the possible association among methylation of MLH1 and MSH2, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm chromatin condensation in idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men. Seventy‐five idiopathic infertile men and 52 fertile and/or normozoospermic men were included in the study. SDF was analysed using the TUNEL assay in semen samples of 100 men. Promoter methylation of MLH1 and MSH2 genes was assessed by semiquantitative methylight analysis in semen samples of 39 and 40 men respectively. Sperm chromatin condensation was evaluated using aniline blue staining in 114 men. MLH1 promoter methylation was positively correlated with the percentage of aniline blue positive spermatozoa (r = 0.401, p = 0.0188). On the other hand, MSH2 promoter methylation was negatively correlated with sperm concentration and total sperm count (r = −0.421, p = 0.0068 and r = 0.4408, p = 0.009 respectively). The percentage of aniline blue positive spermatozoa in the control group was significantly lower than in the OAT group (p < 0.0001) and negatively correlated with total sperm count (r = −0.683, p < 0.0001), progressive sperm motility (r = −0.628, p < 0.0001), total motility (r = −0.639, p < 0.0001) and normal morphology (r = −0.668, p < 0.0001). Promoter methylation profile of MLH1 and MSH2 genes may play role on sperm DNA packaging and conventional semen parameters respectively.

  • Role of genetics and epigenetics in male infertility
    Sezgin Gunes and Sandro C. Esteves

    Hindawi Limited
    Male infertility is a complex condition with a strong genetic and epigenetic background. This review discusses the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathophysiology of male infertility. The interplay between thousands of genes, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and environmental and lifestyle factors, which influence genetic and epigenetic variants, determines the resulting male infertility phenotype. Currently, karyotyping, Y‐chromosome microdeletion screening and CFTR gene mutation tests are routinely performed to investigate a possible genetic aetiology in patients with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. However, current testing is limited in its ability to identify a variety of genetic and epigenetic conditions that might be implicated in both idiopathic and unexplained infertility. Several epimutations of imprinting genes and developmental genes have been postulated to be candidate markers for male infertility. As such, development of novel diagnostic panels is essential to change the current landscape with regard to prevention, diagnosis and management. Understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms related to the pathophysiology of male infertility, and the impact of environmental exposures and lifestyle factors on gene expression might aid clinicians in developing individualised treatment strategies.

  • Multiscale analysis of SRY-positive 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development: Presentation of nine cases
    Omer Salih Akar, Sezgin Gunes, Ummet Abur, Engin Altundag, Ramazan Asci, Onur Emre Onat, Tayfun Ozcelik, and Gonul Ogur

    Hindawi Limited
    46,XX testicular disorder of sex development (46,XX TDSD) is a relatively rare condition characterised by the presence of testicular tissue with 46,XX karyotype. The present study aims to reveal the phenotype to genotype correlation in a series of sex‐determining region Y (SRY)‐positive 46,XX TDSD cases. We present the clinical findings, hormone profiles and genetic test results of six patients with SRY‐positive 46,XX TDSD and give the details and follow‐up findings of our three of previously published patients. All patients presented common characteristics such as azoospermia, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and an SRY gene translocated on the terminal part of the short arm of one of the X chromosomes. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) height of the patients was 164.78 ± 8.0 cm. Five patients had decreased secondary sexual characteristics, and three patients had gynaecomastia with varying degrees. Five of the seven patients revealed a translocation between protein kinase X (PRKX) and inverted protein kinase Y (PRKY) genes, and the remaining two patients showed a translocation between the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) of X chromosome and the differential region of Y chromosome. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) analysis results demonstrated random and skewed XCI in 5 cases and 1 case, respectively. In brief, we delineate the phenotypic spectrum of patients with SRY‐positive 46,XX TDSD and the underlying mechanisms of Xp;Yp translocations.

  • Association of Abl interactor 2, ABI2, with platelet/lymphocyte ratio in patients with renal cell carcinoma: A pilot study
    Sercan Ergun, Sezgin Gunes, Recep Buyukalpelli, and Oguz Aydin

    Wiley
    There are many unknown aspects of the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The aim of the current study was to define new RCC‐related genes and measure their associations with RCC and clinical parameters, especially platelet/lymphocyte ratio which may be an independent predictor of prognosis in patients with RCC and other forms of cancer. Via in silico analysis upon RCC‐specific deleted genes in chromosome 3, four possible ceRNAs (ATXN3, ABI2, GOLGB1 and SMAD2) were identified. Then, the expression levels of these genes in tumour and adjacent healthy kidney tissues of 19 RCC patients were determined by real‐time PCR. ATXN3 and GOLGB1 gene expression levels increased but ABI2 gene expression level decreased in tumour kidney tissues when compared to normal ones. ATXN3, ABI2 and GOLGB1 gene expression levels were significantly higher in Fuhrman grade 4 than other grades (P < .001). ABI2 gene expression levels were significantly associated with higher platelet/lymphocyte ratio of the patients with RCC (P < .05). ATXN3, ABI2 and GOLGB1 may predict higher RCC grades. Also, ABI2 may regulate platelet/lymphocyte ratio which may be an independent predictor of RCC and other forms of cancer.

  • SNP’s in xenobiotic metabolism and male infertility
    Neslihan Hekim, Mohamed Ali Gure, Asli Metin Mahmutoglu, Sezgin Gunes, Ramazan Asci, and Ralf Henkel

    Informa UK Limited
    Abstract 1. Glutathione S-transferases (GST) and cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes participating in the protection of cell. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) null, glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null, glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) Ile105Val, cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) 734 C→A, cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) 1934 G→A and male infertility. 2. A total of 306 azoospermic or oligozoospermic infertile men and 129 normozoospermic or fertile controls were enrolled in the study. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods were used for genotyping. There was a significant relationship between male infertility and CYP2D6 GG genotype (p < 0.001). CYP1A2 AA genotype was slightly higher in the infertile group (p = 0.056). 3. There was no association between GSTT1 null polymorphisms and male infertility (p = 0.068), GSTM1 null (p = 0.843) and GSTP1 Ile105Val (p = 0.192) genes. GSTM1 null genotype frequency was higher in azoospermic men (p = 0.009). Men carrying CYP1A2 AA genotype had higher risk of infertility risk (OR = 3.14; %95 CI = 1.16–8.54) in the smoker group. 4. Our results demonstrated that polymorphisms of CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 may play a role in idiopathic male infertility in our sample population.

  • Aberrant epigenetics and reproductive disorders
    Ummet Abur and Sezgin Gunes

    Elsevier

  • Ovarian &amp; endometrial cancers
    Burak Tatar and Sezgin Gunes

    Elsevier

  • Microtubular dysfunction and male infertility
    Sezgin Gunes, Pallav Sengupta, Ralf Henkel, Aabed Alguraigari, Mariana Marques Sinigaglia, Malik Kayal, Ahmad Joumah, and Ashok Agarwal

    Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology
    Microtubules are the prime component of the cytoskeleton along with microfilaments. Being vital for organelle transport and cellular divisions during spermatogenesis and sperm motility process, microtubules ascertain functional capacity of sperm. Also, microtubule based structures such as axoneme and manchette are crucial for sperm head and tail formation. This review (a) presents a concise, yet detailed structural overview of the microtubules, (b) analyses the role of microtubule structures in various male reproductive functions, and (c) presents the association of microtubular dysfunctions with male infertility. Considering the immense importance of microtubule structures in the formation and maintenance of physiological functions of sperm cells, this review serves as a scientific trigger in stimulating further male infertility research in this direction.

  • Chromosomal and Y-chromosome microdeletion analysis in 1,300 infertile males and the fertility outcome of patients with AZFc microdeletions
    Ummet Abur, Sezgin Gunes, Ramazan Ascı, Engin Altundag, Omer S. Akar, Bulent Ayas, Mediniye Karadag Alpaslan, and Gonul Ogur

    Hindawi Limited
    The present study investigated the frequency of chromosome aberrations and AZF microdeletions in infertile patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) or severe oligozoospermia. Additionally, the effect of the AZFc microdeletions on the success of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) methods were evaluated. Peripheral blood samples were received from 1,300 infertile men with NOA and severe oligozoospermia. Karyotyping and FISH analysis were performed according to standard methods. AZF microdeletions were analysed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction or GML Y‐chromosome Microdeletion Detection System consisting of 14 markers. The chromosomal aberrations and the AZF microdeletions frequency among 1,300 infertile men were 10.6% and 4.0% respectively. Either ejaculated spermatozoa or microTESE was performed on only in 19 out of 26 patients with AZFc deletions. Of the 19 patients, four had severe oligozoospermia and 15 had NOA. In eight out of 15 NOA patients, testicular mature spermatozoa were obtained (53.3%) and then ICSI was applied to mature oocytes. After undergoing ICSI treatment, clinical pregnancy and live birth outcome rates were found to be 37.5% and 25% respectively. These results suggest that infertile patients with AZFc microdeletion could achieve successful fertilisation pregnancies with the help of assisted reproductive technology.

  • Tr-KIT/c-KIT ratio in renal cell carcinoma
    Sercan Ergün, Diler Us Altay, Sezgin Güneş, Recep Büyükalpelli, Süleyman Caner Karahan, Leman Tomak, and Ümmet Abur

    Springer Science and Business Media LLC