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miR-222 and miR-146a Variants in Idiopathic Male Infertility: A Case-Control Study
Zahra Sadat Hoseini1, Leila Kohan1
1Department of Biology, Ars.C., Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran.
Background:
Idiopathic Male Infertility is a widespread problem affecting approximately 10 to 15 percent of men of reproductive age. Several genes have been studied related to idiopathic male infertility. Thereafter, among the family of non-coding RNAs, microRNAs are shown to play a very important role in the regulation of a subset of genes. It has been documented that infertile men have differentially expressed miRNA. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of two genetic variants, miR-222 rs2858060 and miR-146a rs2910164 on idiopathic male infertility.
Materials And Methods:
In this case-control study, Blood samples were taken from 201 men with idiopathic infertility and 201 men in a healthy state for this case-control investigation. Genotype determination of desired polymorphisms was done using the Tetra-ARMS PCR technique and data was analyzed by SPSS software version 20. Significant associations were determined at an alpha level of 0.05.
Results:
The study found a significant association between the miR-222 rs2858060 GG genotype and idiopathic male infertility in the recessive genetic model [odds ratio (OR)=2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.25-3.24, P=0.004]. After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and alcohol consumption, the association between the genotypes and the disease remained significant. No significant association was observed between miR-146a rs2910164 genotypes and male infertility in all genetic models (P>0.05). Moreover, haplotype analysis showed that the CC (rs2858060/ rs2910164) haplotype is associated with the decreased risk of idiopathic male infertility (OR=0.728, 95% CI =0.54-0.98, P=0.035).
Conclusion:
miR-222 rs2858060 and miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphisms influence the risk of male infertility in Iranian population. This is the first report to examine the role of miR-222 rs2858060 and miR-146a rs2910164 in male infertility, further studies involving different ethnicity and larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings.
Insights
Genetic variants in miR-222 (rs2858060) are linked to idiopathic male infertility risk. The miR-146a rs2910164 variant and a combined haplotype showed no significant association with male infertility in this study.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Idiopathic male infertility affects 10-15% of men.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene regulators, and altered miRNA expression is observed in infertile men.
- This study investigates two specific miRNA genetic variants in male infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of miR-222 rs2858060 and miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphisms on idiopathic male infertility.
- To identify potential genetic markers for male infertility risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 201 men with idiopathic infertility and 201 healthy controls.
- Genotyping of miR-222 rs2858060 and miR-146a rs2910164 using Tetra-ARMS PCR.
- Statistical analysis using SPSS, with significance set at P<0.05.
Main Results:
- The miR-222 rs2858060 GG genotype showed a significant association with increased idiopathic male infertility risk (OR=2.02, P=0.004) in a recessive model.
- This association remained significant after adjusting for age, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
- No significant association was found for miR-146a rs2910164 genotypes (P>0.05).
- Haplotype analysis indicated that the CC (rs2858060/rs2910164) haplotype was associated with a decreased risk of male infertility (OR=0.728, P=0.035).
Conclusions:
- Polymorphisms in miR-222 rs2858060 and miR-146a rs2910164 influence male infertility risk in the Iranian population.
- This is the first study to examine these specific variants in male infertility.
- Further research with larger sample sizes and diverse ethnicities is recommended to validate these findings.
