ArticleOxidative medicine and cellular longevity2026
Oxidative Stress-Associated Alterations in Sperm ACTL7A Expression and Function in Men With Varicocele.
Article in Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Oxidative Stress-Associated Alterations in Sperm ACTL7A Expression and Function in Men With Varicocele.Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity · 2026Article
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundActin-like 7A (ACTL7A) is a testis-specific cytoskeletal protein essential for spermiogenesis, acrosome formation, and oocyte activation. Given its critical role in sperm integrity and fertilization, ACTL7A protein may be particularly susceptible to oxidative and thermal stress associated with varicocele. This study aimed to evaluate ACTL7A gene, and protein expression in the sperm of infertile men with varicocele.
methodsSemen samples from infertile men with varicocele (n = 35) and fertile controls (n = 35) were assessed for standard sperm parameters (WHO 2021), redox status (2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate [DCFH-DA] and BODIPY probes), chromatin packaging (Chromomycin A3 [CMA3] and Aniline Blue staining), DNA integrity (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay [SCSA]), ACTL7A gene, and protein expression (quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting).
resultsCompared to fertile controls, the varicocele group exhibited significantly lower sperm quality, elevated oxidative stress, increased lipid peroxidation, and greater chromatin immaturity and DNA fragmentation (p < 0.01). Notably, ACTL7A gene and ACTL7A protein expression levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), with inverse correlations observed between ACTL7A gene and markers of chromatin packaging defects, including protamine deficiency and residual histones (p < 0.05).
conclusionACTL7A gene expression and ACTL7A protein are significantly reduced in sperm from men with varicocele, likely causing defective chromatin remodeling and abnormal sperm head formation. This study first links varicocele-associated oxidative stress to ACTL7A, suggesting its potential as a biomarker of testicular dysfunction. Future research should explore whether interventions like antioxidant therapy, varicocelectomy, or varicocele severity and duration improve sperm quality and reproductive outcomes.
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