FGFR2 expression in preputial tissue of hypospadias

Objective To assay the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2(FGFR2)protein and mRNA in the preputial tissue of hypospadias patients. Methods Western blotting and R-TPCR were performed to assay the expression of FGFR2 protein and mRNA. Results The amount of FGFR2 protein in the preputial tissue of hypospadias patients was lower than the control group(0. 19± 0. 09 vs 0. 39 ± 0. 12, P＜0. 05). The FGFR2 protein quantity was 0. 27 ± 0. 08 in the mild group,0. 16 ± 0. 04 in the moderate group and 0. 09 ± 0. 03 in the severe group. The difference between hypospadias group and the control group was statistically significant (P＜0. 05). There was no difference between the moderate and severe groups(P＞0. 05). The difference between the FGFR2 mRNA expression of the control (1.30 ± 0. 069) and hypospadias ( 1.22 ± 0. 052) groups was significant(P＜0. 05). FGFR2 mRNA quantity was 1.23 ± 0. 0541 in the mild group, 1.24 ± 0. 034 in the moderate group, 1.16 ± 0. 020 in the severe group. There was no difference between the mild and moderate groups in FGFR2 mRNA expression (P＞0. 05). Conclusions The expression of FGFR2 of preputial tissue in hypospadias was down-regulated. It suggestes a role for FGFR2 in hypospadias Key words: Hypospadias; Receptor, fibroblast growth factor, type 2; Western-blotting