Epigenetic Integrity of Spermatozoa in Patients With Germinal Testicular Tumours

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Recent data suggest that sperm cells carry an epigenetic message during spermatogenesis and that this message is crucial for the future development of the embryo. This epigenetic signature is notably represented by methylation of genes subjected to imprinting (GSI) and the methylation of transposable elements (TE). Data on the maintenance of the imprint and of the control of TE accompanying human gametogenesis in a context of adult germinal testicular cancers, seminomas, are extremely fragmentary for tumour tissues and inexistent for gametes. The aim of this study is to determine whether patients with seminomas in comparison with fertile men carry a higher risk of presenting epigenetic alterations affecting their gametes. This study is based on the use of an existing collection of biological samples. 90 samples will be selected and split into 3 groups: Group 1: 30 sperm samples from patients with seminomatous testicular tumours Group 2: 30 sperm samples from fertile patients Group 3: 30 sperm samples from infertile patients After treatment of the samples (thawing, cell sorting and removal of cryoprotectants), they will be analysed.

Official Title
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Epigenetic Integrity of Spermatozoa in Patients With Germinal Testicular Tumours: Potential Risks and Consequences for the Conceptus

Conditions
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Seminomas

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Extraction genomic DNA
* Other: Analysis of methylation profiles of numerous GSI and TE
* Other: Analysis of methylation for the whole genome (sub-population of 15 samples from group 1)
* Other: Method of protein detection by immunostaining and flow cytometry


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: biological samples from persons who have provided written consent biological samples of patients over 18 years old with testicular tumours/Fertile/Infertile Matched for age with patients suffering from testicular tumours Exclusion Criteria: biological samples of persons without national health insurance cover biological samples from patients with chronic hepatitis B or C or HIV infection

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| testicular tumours<br> | Other: Extraction genomic DNA<br> <br> Other: Analysis of methylation profiles of numerous GSI and TE<br> <br> Other: Analysis of methylation for the whole genome (sub-population of 15 samples from group 1)<br> <br> Other: Method of protein detection by immunostaining and flow cytometry<br> <br> |
| fertile<br> | Other: Extraction genomic DNA<br> <br> Other: Analysis of methylation profiles of numerous GSI and TE<br> <br> Other: Method of protein detection by immunostaining and flow cytometry<br> <br> |
| infertile<br> | Other: Extraction genomic DNA<br> <br> Other: Analysis of methylation profiles of numerous GSI and TE<br> <br> Other: Method of protein detection by immunostaining and flow cytometry<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Analysis of methylation profiles in paternal genes subjected to imprinting (GSI) |  | at baseline |