Study of Linc00574 Regulatory Effect on the TCTE3 Expression in Sperm Motility

We investigated the relationship of t-complex-associated-testis-expressed 3 (TCTE3) and linc00574 expression levels with sperm motility and morphology in patients with asthenozoospermia (AZ) and terato-asthenozoospermia (TAZ). The study population consisted of 31 AZ patients, 31 TAZ patients, and 32 normozoospermia (NZ) as controls. Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to evaluate the expression levels of TCTE3 and linc00574. Bioinformatics investigations were performed using databases to find molecular pathway. TCTE3 expression was reduced significantly in AZ and TAZ patients (P < 0.05). Linc00574 expression level increased only in the AZ patients (P < 0.05). The subsequent analyses showed a significantly positive correlation between TCTE3 and linc00574 expression levels (P < 0.05). In addition, a significantly positive relationship was observed between TCTE3 expression level and sperm motility and morphology (P < 0.05). The present study suggests that TCTE3 expression is regulated by linc00574 through a negative self-regulating mechanism and therefore may affect the flagella structure and function.