Sperm miR-34c-5p Transcript Content and Its Association with Sperm Parameters in Unexplained Infertile Men

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators in gametogenesis.
• Dysregulation of miR-34c-5p is linked to male infertility pathogenesis.
• The role of miR-34c-5p in semen quality and fertilizing ability needs further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if sperm miR-34c-5p expression reflects semen quality.
• To determine the utility of miR-34c-5p in predicting fertilizing ability in normozoospermic men.
• To assess the diagnostic power of sperm miR-34c-5p in unexplained male infertility.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of normozoospermic infertile patients (n=15) and fertile men (n=15).
• Assessment of sperm miR-34c-5p transcript content using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
• Analysis of semen characteristics, sperm motility, and morphology.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in general semen characteristics between groups.
• Infertile patients exhibited significantly lower sperm miR-34c-5p levels (p=0.019).
• Lower miR-34c-5p levels correlated with reduced sperm motility and normal morphology.
• Sperm miR-34c-5p showed good diagnostic power (AUC=0.751, p=0.019) for unexplained infertility.

Conclusions:

• Sperm miR-34c-5p content reflects spermatozoal quality in unexplained male infertility.
• miR-34c-5p may serve as a biomarker for predicting male infertility and successful pregnancy outcomes.